A day out front for Quentin Pacher

# A Strategic Day for Groupama-FDJ at the Tour of Oman

In a tactical shift to adapt to unforeseen challenges, the Groupama-FDJ cycling team made a notable effort in the third stage of the Tour of Oman, marked by its first summit finish. Although they were without their strongest contenders for the general classification, the team aimed to leave a mark by pursuing aggressive breakaway strategies.

With only five riders in the lineup, following the earlier withdrawal of Brieuc Rolland and a crash that left Josh Kench sidelined due to a broken rib, the team’s strategy had to evolve. “There was a possibility that a strong breakaway could go far today, so we focused on that goal while trying not to get caught out at the start,” explained team director Thierry Bricaud. The early stages saw a flurry of attacks, ultimately leading to a breakaway that included Groupama-FDJ’s Quentin Pacher.

Pacher, alongside fellow riders Alex Baudin, Rui Oliveira, Jensen Plowright, and overall leader Baptiste Veistroffer, initially established a lead that peaked at nearly four minutes. However, this advantage was halved as they approached the final 50 kilometers, ultimately forcing Pacher to withdraw from the break. “They didn’t hold anything back at the front, it was full gas,” said Bricaud. “Towards the end, Quentin was a bit cooked. Still, it’s a day that will be useful for him going forward.”

The day’s crucial action unfolded on the slopes of Eastern Mountain, which presented an uphill challenge of 3.4 km at an 8% gradient. Although the remaining breakaway members managed to stave off the peloton until the climb, the team’s objectives shifted towards ensuring that Rémy Rochas and Thibaud were able to gain valuable racing experience. Multiple crashes due to tricky road conditions plagued the final phases of the race, but thankfully, the riders navigated these incidents with resilience, regrouping just before tackling the formidable climb.

Rémy Rochas ultimately finished in 25th place, crossing the line just over a minute behind stage winner Mauro Schmid. As the team prepares for what lies ahead, Bricaud noted, “The goal was for Rémy and Thibaud to ride the climb properly to test themselves and put in some effort.” The peloton now gears up for a return to flat terrain in Tuesday’s stage, setting the stage for an anticipated bunch sprint.