A frustrating outcome in Liège U23
# Grit and Guts: Groupama-FDJ United’s Determined Run at Liège U23
In a display of tenacity, the Groupama–FDJ United development team participated fiercely in the U23 edition of Liège–Bastogne–Liège over the weekend. After 177 grueling kilometers, the efforts of Jérôme Gannat’s cyclists went unrewarded, culminating in Victor Loulergue finishing twelfth in a compact sprint just after attempting a daring late attack.
The U23 riders faced a challenging course that closely mimicked the elite race, albeit with a slightly less daunting finish. The Côte de la Redoute, located around forty kilometers from the end, served as the last significant hurdle. Early on, the race featured the “Wanne–Stockeu–Haute Levée” trilogy, where an unexpected large breakaway formed, boasting a two-minute lead over the main pack. Jérôme Gannat reflected, “There was an initial move of sixteen riders with Esteban Foucher; then after 50–60 kilometers, a rather unusual scenario unfolded as a large breakaway formed in several waves, eventually with thirty-two riders up front.” The team positioned itself well with four riders—Rémi Daumas, Eliott Boulet, Yann Dubois, and Esteban Foucher—all remaining competitive.
“We thought everything would be decided [at the Côte de la Redoute],” Gannat noted, as Rémi initiated an attack at its base. Although he didn’t get a significant gap, momentum shifted dramatically when world champion Lorenzo Finn joined him and Loulergue, forming a group of around thirty-five riders. As the race progressed, several cyclists attempted to shift the dynamics, with Rémi making another attempt to break away.
In the closing stages, six riders created a gap, but the chase eventually caught them just before the final steep climb up the Côte de Bolland (600 m at 8%). “Victor went all-in on that climb,” Gannat recounted. “He really went for it, but he faded a bit at the top.” Despite his ambitious efforts, the recent third-place finisher at the Circuit des Ardennes couldn’t secure an advantageous position and ended up in a more compact sprint finish.
In the end, Loulergue crossed the line in twelfth place, a result that left the team with mixed feelings. “We obviously hoped for better,” Gannat said, acknowledging Loulergue’s previous strong performances. “I think his intense effort on the climb compromised his sprint… It was still a good move. We always say you need to be aggressive in a final.”
Yann Dubois also featured in the lead group, finishing 18th, while Eliott Boulet, Rémi Daumas, and Esteban Foucher trailed a minute later. Gannat concluded, “We had a very good race; we were very active in the breakaways and final, but the result didn’t necessarily follow. We came for the win, not for twelfth place, but looking at how the race unfolded, we don’t have much to regret. The team’s attitude was exemplary throughout the day. This race was a real goal, but we were just missing that little extra.”
