A nice season opener for Victor Loulergue

# Victor Loulergue Shines in Season Opener at Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille

The 2026 cycling season kicked off in style this Sunday at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille–La Marseillaise, marking the first French race of the year. With a fresh course layout that spanned 145 kilometres, the event featured thrilling early racing as the Groupama-FDJ United Cycling Team showcased their tactical prowess. Young talent Victor Loulergue, typically a member of the development team, emerged with a commendable sixth-place finish, while his teammate Axel Huens, in his new colours, secured an eleventh-place debut.

In keeping with tradition, Marseille hosted this season’s opener, which also served as the inaugural round of the newly rebranded FDJ United Series, the French Cup calendar. The route adjustments led to an easier course compared to previous years, leading to expectations of a group sprint finish. Benoît Vaugrenard, a key player for the team, reflected on this change: “It had been ten years since we last raced this course, without the Route des Crêtes. We expected a large group sprint at the finish, but we still needed to stay alert because when the course is a bit less demanding, racing can start from far out. That’s exactly what happened on the technical descent of the Espigoulier, where we knew splits were possible.”

As the race progressed, a group of approximately thirty riders, including five from Groupama-FDJ United, broke away about 60 kilometres in. “It was pretty well done,” Benoît noted, though he acknowledged the absence of key rider Ewen in the mix. The team stayed vigilant, ultimately managing to place Axel in another move, which showcased their strategic planning.

Axel Huens focused on maintaining the team’s collective interests, navigating the group dynamics carefully. “He wasn’t supposed to pull,” Benoît explained, “but he preferred to take short turns from time to time because he had to close splits by staying at the back of the group.” Despite their efforts, the gap to the peloton proved insurmountable as they approached the final climb, Col de la Gineste.

The inevitable regrouping led to a focus on the sprint finish, despite some late attempts to break free by various riders, including Ewen. “I’ve never seen anyone attack on the Gineste with a headwind and go on to win,” Benoît admitted, emphasizing the challenging racing conditions.

Victor Loulergue contributed significantly to the team’s sprint strategy. “I tried to lead out Axel and Cyril—they were on my wheel, and I was myself on Coquard’s wheel,” he recounted. However, the finish was crowded, making it difficult for his teammates to launch an attack. Nonetheless, Loulergue’s efforts secured him a respectable sixth place.

Reflecting on the day, Victor expressed both pride and a hint of frustration: “It’s a shame because if they’d been able to find a gap in the sprint, the result would have been better.” Benoît shared this sentiment, indicating there was potential for a stronger performance. “It’s unfortunate our sprinters couldn’t get out of the pack, but Victor did a good job of salvaging something from the day.”

The team now turns their attention to fine-tuning their strategies and preparing for the upcoming Bessèges, motivated by their performance and the commitment displayed across the board. As Benoît concluded, “All seven of our riders were in the peloton, including two from ‘La Conti’. We had an impact in the race.”