Maxime Decomble and “La Conti” finish on a high

# Maxime Decomble Ends U23 Journey with Glorious Victory at Paris-Tours

In a spectacular finale to his cycling career with “La Conti” Groupama-FDJ, Maxime Decomble clinched a solo victory in the U23 Paris-Tours on Sunday, marking his last race in style. This impressive win not only signified a personal triumph for the young French rider but also saw his team secure a remarkable one-two finish, with Reef Roberts taking second place.

Competing on a similar route to the professional category but with the first thirty-five kilometers removed, the under-23 riders faced a challenging 100-kilometer course starting from Bonneval. Jérôme Gannat, the team’s director, described the race dynamics: “First there was a small breakaway of five riders, then there was the strategic point at Vendôme… A first peloton of forty broke away, then a group of nineteen in which we had three riders! It was very good, and with the tailwind to reach Tours, we knew that it favoured the breakaway.”

As they approached the key moments of the race, “La Conti” had three of their riders – Eliott Boulet, Reef Roberts, and Decomble – positioned in the forefront of the leading group. “I was a little apprehensive, but I found myself in front with Reef and Eliott, and it was the ideal scenario,” Maxime reflected on the early strategy.

The leading peloton gradually widened the gap between themselves and the following groups. As the pace intensified, Decomble made a critical move, attacking in the last forty kilometers alongside three other competitors. “It was a strong group, and we had two guys controlling behind,” Gannat noted. When Maxime launched his solo attack on a climb with only twenty kilometers to go, it was a strategic move: “He attacked at the right time, because the climb was followed by a vineyard path with tailwind,” Gannat added.

With his natural strength, Decomble effectively opened a significant lead. By the time he reached the final stretch of nine kilometers, he had a one-minute gap on his closest rivals. “With the tailwind, I knew I could go all the way,” he said, demonstrating not only his physical prowess but also his keen race strategy.

The culmination of Decomble’s efforts resulted in a victory that he described as “incredible.” He celebrated not just his personal success, but also the team’s overall achievements this season. “It’s my first victory of the year, and my first victory at all with Groupama-FDJ in a road race. To finish my U23 years like this… is amazing,” he expressed, reflecting on his journey.

As the season concluded with the Chrono des Nations on the horizon, “La Conti” has firmly established a positive momentum. Gannat added, “It was a perfect day… There’s been an excellent team spirit, and we’ve been in the mix in all the races. It’s important to finish a season on a good note, and we hope to continue this momentum in 2026!”

With such a strong finish, the future looks promising for both Maxime Decomble and “La Conti” as they prepare for the next season.