Romain Grégoire keeps the momentum going
# Romain Grégoire Shines in Trofeo Laigueglia with Strong Second Place Finish
Romain Grégoire continued to demonstrate his impressive form just three days after clinching his first victory of the season. Competing in the Trofeo Laigueglia this Wednesday, the young French cyclist came close to adding another win to his record. He participated in a four-man breakaway with thirty kilometers remaining, showcasing his potential but ultimately finishing second behind Santiago Buitrago along the stunning Ligurian coast.
The race marked the official kickoff of the Italian cycling calendar, having been won by Groupama-FDJ United in 2024. Grégoire, who finished sixth in his debut at this event last year and had recently celebrated his season’s first victory, arrived in peak condition to tackle a challenging route, which included three ascents of the Colla Micheri and Capo Mele in the final thirty-five kilometers.
The race began conventionally, with a ten-man breakaway early on that was closely monitored by the peloton. As they approached the longer climbs of Testico and Cima Paravenna, dynamics shifted. “Enzo positioned the guys very well at the foot of the first climb,” noted team manager Yvon Caër. With high-tempo climbs, only about sixty riders remained in contention, and Grégoire still had support from teammates Tom and Clément.
In the finishing circuit, key moments unfolded. “The first ascent of the Colla Micheri, thirty-three kilometers from the finish, was a key moment,” Yvon recounted, praising Tom for his exceptional work in positioning Grégoire. With a solid strategy, the team found themselves in an optimal position during the climb as they pushed to stay ahead.
As the race progressed, Grégoire was in the mix on the first ascent with Bahrain-Victorious leading the pack. “He reacted immediately, and on this kind of circuit, it’s better to be in the mix right away rather than chasing,” emphasized Yvon. The remaining trio—Grégoire, Tiberi, and Buitrago—continued to fend off the peloton.
However, the race intensified as Tiberi and Buitrago leveraged their numbers. Yvon explained how Tiberi executed a strategic attack early on the final climb which troubled Grégoire. “Romain tried to limit the damage and came over the top ten seconds behind, but the strongest rider had gone clear,” he noted. Although Grégoire worked to reduce the gap, he faced a challenging pursuit over the last eight kilometers.
In a determined sprint to the finish, Grégoire secured second place ahead of Tiberi, rounding out a commendable performance. “Being one against two in the final, it was certainly tactical, but it was also physical. I couldn’t follow Buitrago, and then I rode to secure a podium place,” Grégoire reflected. “I expected to finish third, but I managed to take second in the sprint. My form is good, I’m confirming after Sunday’s victory, and I think this was the best result we could achieve today. So it’s a very positive day for me and the team.”
The team’s confidence in Grégoire is on the rise. “The confidence from his win on Sunday is clearly showing,” Yvon concluded. “He’s taking initiative and simply has very good legs. With time, he’s continuing to build momentum and grow stronger.” With the Strade Bianche looming on Saturday, expectations are high for this emerging talent.
