Romain Grégoire keeps his streak rolling on the Mur de Huy

# Romain Grégoire Continues Impressive Run at La Flèche Wallonne

In his third consecutive appearance at La Flèche Wallonne, Romain Grégoire of Besançon added another top 10 finish to his growing resume, securing ninth place on the challenging Mur de Huy. The 2026 race saw Grégoire cross the line just ten seconds behind winner Paul Seixas, following a diligent team effort.

The 2026 edition of La Flèche Wallonne kicked off in Herstal, a departure from previous starting points, but the iconic finale atop the Mur de Huy remained unchanged. After 200 kilometers of racing marked by strategic climbing—including the Côte d’Ereffe and the Côte de Cherave—the peloton faced the ultimate test: the steep slopes of the Mur. Early in the race, a breakaway group held a modest thirty-second lead, but tension mounted as riders prepared for the decisive final climb.

Unfortunately, Groupama-FDJ lost a key player when Kevin Geniets crashed out, prompting team director Stéphane Goubert to acknowledge, “We lost a key element with Kevin. We missed him, but the guys compensated well for his absence. They all worked well to position Romain as planned.” On the final lap, Grégoire’s team moved to the front, ensuring he was well-placed for the ascent.

Reflecting on his performance post-race, Grégoire stated, “I didn’t have the legs to do better. We had opted for a conservative race… the whole team executed it very well.” After navigating the Côte de Cherave, he found himself well-positioned, battling for position as he entered the final climb. Despite climbing into the top five midway up the Mur, Grégoire could not keep pace with Seixas’s decisive acceleration, ultimately finishing ninth.

“We’re a bit disappointed because we didn’t come for a top 10, but at the same time, I didn’t have the legs to do better,” he admitted. “I gave everything, and I can’t blame myself. I feel I have a good base level, but the sensations aren’t at their absolute best, and that’s a bit frustrating. I manage to pick up decent results like this, but I’d like things to really click.”

Looking ahead, Grégoire remains optimistic about his chances in the upcoming races, stating, “I’ve had quite a few placings, so why not try to land a big result on Sunday in the biggest one. We’ll go for the podium, and we believe in it.” As the spring campaign progresses, fans are eager to see if Grégoire can convert his consistent performances into a breakthrough victory.