Romain Grégoire on the attack, Axel Huens and Thibaud Gruel in the top 20

# Groupama-FDJ United Shines in Dwars door Vlaanderen: Grégoire’s Break and Top 20 Finishes

In an exhilarating display at Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Groupama-FDJ United cycling team showcased their competitive spirit and attacking strategy this Wednesday. The 185-kilometre race featured a challenging course with eighteen climbs and nineteen cobbled sectors, making it a unique opportunity for the team as they prepared for the upcoming Ronde.

Romain Grégoire stole the spotlight with an early break from the peloton, distancing himself from the pack more than fifty kilometres from the finish line. His bold move initially paid off when he was joined by Belgian star Wout Van Aert. However, the duo’s effort fell short as they were caught just fifteen kilometres from the finish. In the end, it was Filippo Ganna who clinched the victory, while Axel Huens (16th) and Thibaud Gruel (20th) managed to secure top-20 finishes.

Frédéric Guesdon, team director, shared insights into their strategy, stating, “We noticed that the group was strong in recent races…The goal was to be proactive and not ride conservatively.” This mindset propelled the team into early breaks, especially highlighted during the first ascent of the Berg ten Houte, where Gruel was well-positioned among the swift riders.

The competitive nature of the race saw intense actions, particularly when Wout Van Aert launched his first attack. Guesdon elaborated, noting, “Once Romain was away, the others had to cover moves and disrupt the chase.” At one point, Grégoire and his fellow escapees enjoyed a respectable lead, but as the race progressed, misfortune struck. Guesdon explained, “He paid for a slight lack of course knowledge… it’s best to come from behind with speed.”

Despite Regrouping efforts, Grégoire ultimately found himself back in the peloton alongside other riders, where the final sprint was shaping. Guesdon lamented, “Once again, the result doesn’t reflect our day…we’re left wanting more from these Classics.” With optimism for the upcoming Tour of Flanders, he concluded, “If we race well, we have what it takes to get a result.”

The Groupama-FDJ United team’s performance in Dwars door Vlaanderen demonstrated their capabilities and resilience, setting the stage for a riveting Ronde this Sunday.