Axel Laurance has clearly developed a taste for winning, notching up his fourth victory of the season, and the Team Ineos Grenadiers French rider has rediscovered his determination today by perfectly timing his breakaway and making the difference on the final climbs. The victory came in a sprint ahead of Igor Arrieta on terrain that wasn't entirely suited to his characteristics.

«I really didn't know what to expect from today, I knew there would be either a breakaway or a sprint with a select group, but I was ready for both scenarios. I'm not used to moves like this, especially since finding myself attacking for 25 km with just one other rider isn't really in my wheelhouse. Initially with Igor Arrieta there was good cooperation, although I'll admit that on the climbs I struggled a bit with his pace, but we had an excellent descent and I tried to recover. When he launched his sprint in the finale I didn't respond immediately because I had cramps, but at that moment I decided to work with my head: after a stage like that I certainly couldn't give up. When I saw the finish line I understood it would be worth suffering for a few more meters in exchange for a greater joy.» Laurance explained, having found himself chasing from the early stages of the race. Due to a problem with his radio cable, he had to stop right when the race was entering its most exciting phase, but fortunately he managed not only to get back but to take part in the decisive breakaway.

The victory brings some light to the truly unfortunate day the Team Ineos had to face yesterday. Team captain Kevin Vauquelin crashed and was eliminated from contention, and Laurance himself had to deal with a fall. «During yesterday's stage I crashed and tried to recover as best I could because today I wanted to try to attack. It was really an unlucky day for our team especially because our captain Kevin also crashed and was definitively eliminated from the general classification. The team's objective has certainly changed, we're no longer thinking about the overall, but about stage wins, but this Basque Country tour is absolutely not to be underestimated. Every day is like a classic and anything can happen.»

It's certainly a magical moment for the French rider, 2023 world champion in the under-23 category. After a good 2024 with Team Alpecin Deceuninck, in 2025 he moved to Team Ineos, but somehow found himself blocked: his form was good but results weren't coming. This latest victory of the season has the taste of a rebirth, a rediscovered confidence in his abilities and above all the desire to do even better. «Last season was very difficult, my form was good, but I couldn't win and couldn't even get good results. I started to become frustrated and lose confidence in my abilities - Laurance continued - during the winter I decided to start from scratch, I knew something hadn't gone right in 2025, but that didn't mean I couldn't be a winner anymore. I worked hard, mentally too, and started to believe again. Today in the finale when I saw the finish line I felt something inside me, like a killer instinct, it was that which pushed me to improve myself and go all the way. I feel like I've finally been reborn»