First win for Rémi Daumas, one-two finish for “La Conti”!

# Rémi Daumas Claims First Victory in Dominant One-Two Finish for “La Conti” at Annemasse Classic

In an exhilarating display of teamwork and racing strategy, the “La Conti” Groupama-FDJ team not only lived up to their favorites’ status at the recently UCI-labelled Annemasse Classic but also achieved a spectacular one-two finish on Sunday. Rémi Daumas marked a significant milestone in his career by claiming his first victory since joining the team, while defending champion Victor Loulergue secured second place, showcasing the strength and synchronicity of their squad.

The Annemasse Classic, formerly known as “Annemasse–Bellegarde et retour” and an amateur staple for decades, was transformed into a UCI class 2 event in 2026. The race featured a challenging circuit course, drawing both amateur clubs and continental teams. “We started with six riders without Johan, who was injured, but we had Victor, the defending champion, and with Rémi’s performances in recent weeks, we clearly had that favorite status,” explained team director Jérôme Gannat.

From the race’s opening loop, Esteban Foucher helped set the pace by making it into an eleven-rider breakaway. The competition intensified during the second circuit, particularly on the decisive climb of Gratte-Loup (5.4 km at 5.6%). Following the first ascent, a new group emerged, including Soan Ruesche, who was soon joined by teammate Yann Dubois.

“It rewards the team’s great work,” said Rémi Daumas. “We were well represented,” Jérôme remarked, highlighting their team’s strategy. On the penultimate ascent of Gratte-Loup, Rémi and Victor launched an attack from the peloton to bridge the gap to the front. A collaborative effort from Yann and Soan maintained the pace, allowing Rémi and Victor to focus on securing the win.

As they entered the final lap, the leading group held a nearly two-minute advantage over the peloton, setting the stage for a fierce showdown. “The guys accelerated early on Gratte-Loup, led by Rémi,” Jérôme detailed. A strategic maneuver allowed Rémi and Victor to gain a key advantage over their final competitor. Supported by their teammates’ earlier efforts, the duo increased their lead on the way back to Annemasse.

Crossing the finish line hand in hand, Rémi took the victory, with Jérôme noting the mutual respect between the two riders: “Victor won last year and of course would have liked to do it again, but Rémi deserves it as well.”

“Victor let me take the win, so a big thank you to him,” said Rémi, reflecting on his momentous achievement. “It obviously feels great to win, especially since it hadn’t happened to me since my junior days. It means a lot because it’s also my first victory with La Conti, and it rewards the team’s great work throughout the day, especially from Soan and Yann. It would have been a disappointment not to finish it off.”

With this victory, Jérôme Gannat’s team tallies five wins in 2026, following a recent triumph by Eliott Boulet at the Youngster Coast Challenge. “It’s true we were the favorites, but we always raced with humility,” expressed Jérôme. “On paper, it might look straightforward, but winning is never easy. The Annemasse Classic remains a historically important race to which I’m personally very attached. You can feel that real momentum and a strong team spirit are building, and that’s also a key objective for a development team. Not only are the results there, but the group is thriving!”