Romain Grégoire delivers once again to wrap up the spring Classics
# Romain Grégoire Shines in Liège–Bastogne–Liège: A Stellar Performance in the Spring Classics
Romain Grégoire continues to establish himself as a leading force in cycling, wrapping up his impressive spring Classics campaign with a solid performance at the historic Liège–Bastogne–Liège. The Groupama–FDJ leader from Besançon showcased his consistency and resilience, crossing the finish line in seventh place, marking his best career result in a Monument and his fourth consecutive top-10 finish in a major race.
This year’s edition of Liège–Bastogne–Liège was no ordinary race, with 4,000 metres of elevation gain spread across numerous challenging climbs, including the notorious Côte de Wanne and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. The race unfolded on April 26 amid chaos and excitement; a severe crash within the first five kilometers of the 260 km course split the peloton dramatically. “We didn’t expect that, and it made the race extremely difficult,” Benoît Vaugrenard, a key team strategist, reflected. Thankfully for Groupama–FDJ, they had three strong riders at the front. “It was interesting for us,” Grégoire added, noting the advantage of their positioning.
“This year, we rode a very good race,” Benoît stated, emphasizing the team’s strategy and efforts throughout the event. Enzo Paleni played a crucial role in maintaining the pace of the breakaway until the mid-race, creating the first signs of selection. As partnerships in the lead group dwindled, the main peloton, led by Tadej Pogačar’s teammates, began to close the gap. “We may have needed more teammates for Bernal and Remco to go further,” Benoît explained, hinting at the tactical maneuvers that could have supplied an edge for their competitors.
By the time the race reached the Côte de la Redoute, a traditional launchpad for the favorites, only around 70 riders remained in the peloton, including Grégoire, Pacher, Molard, and Martin-Guyonnet. “We knew that from La Redoute on, there would be two races in one,” noted Benoît, highlighting the fierce battle that lay ahead.
Grégoire, positioned ten spots behind at the Côte de la Redoute, found himself unable to follow Pogačar and Paul Seixas as they broke away. This prompted Grégoire and his teammates to recalibrate their focus on the podium. “We did the race we had to do and still had numbers after La Redoute,” Grégoire said, demonstrating a commitment to their strategic approach.
The final climbs, most notably the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, set the stage for an electrifying finish. Grégoire executed a calculated sprint, finishing seventh overall after showcasing his sprinting prowess. “It was a little short for third, but at least I have no regrets,” he remarked. “I sprinted in the wind, but I was able to do my sprint and still take a nice top 10.”
With this remarkable result, Grégoire secured his third top-10 finish in as many Ardennes Classics this season—an unmatched achievement in the peloton. Other teammates, Pacher, Molard, and Martin-Guyonnet, finished closely behind, demonstrating their collective strength. “We saw a great team again today,” Benoît concluded. “Romain capped off the efforts of the whole group, and that’s what we’ll remember,” summarizing a successful campaign that has set a hopeful tone for the future in cycling.
