Romain Grégoire, a bold ride and a brilliant fourth place
# Romain Grégoire Shines with Thrilling Fourth Place Finish at Amstel Gold Race
Romain Grégoire’s remarkable spring season is gaining traction, as evidenced by his impressive fourth-place finish at the prestigious Amstel Gold Race this past Sunday. Just two days after securing a fourth spot at the Brabantse Pijl, the Groupama-FDJ United cyclist played a pivotal role in breaking open the race with 40 kilometers remaining, following strategic maneuvers by his teammates. Though he narrowly missed the podium, Grégoire’s effort was underscored by the presence of fellow rider Ewen Costiou, who finished ninth.
As Grégoire gears up for the “Ardennes Classics,” namely La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, he approached the Amstel Gold Race with high aspirations, having previously finished seventh in last year’s edition. The 257-kilometer course featured approximately thirty climbs, including the critical Cauberg, which was tackled three times in the climax of the race.
The race commenced with nine riders leading in a breakaway that built a significant advantage of over four minutes. This gap was considerably narrowed on the first ascent of the Cauberg, escalating the tension within the peloton. With fierce competition escalating towards the Loorberg, Grégoire exhibited remarkable poise. “The guys were exemplary, and we must highlight this very strong collective effort,” praised Benoît Vaugrenard, a sentiment echoed by Grégoire: “We had everything we needed with Ewen to be in the best possible situation.”
Determined to make a mark, Grégoire was strategically positioned near the front, bolstered by teammates Enzo Paleni, Kevin Geniets, Lorenzo Germani, and Quentin Pacher, as they approached the Kruisberg. With a burst of confidence, he initiated the primary attack. “Romain knows this race… the goal was to follow Remco because we knew he could take us far,” Benoît said. Grégoire’s assertiveness sparked an initial selection of five riders, including the formidable Remco Evenepoel and the defending champion Mattias Skjelmose, who later broke clear after a crash among their rivals.
At the front, Grégoire and his companions initially managed to maintain a 30-second lead heading into the critical stages. However, the relentless pace set by Evenepoel on the hills proved to be a turning point for Grégoire. “I had everything to get on the podium… I lost 10 meters at the top, then 20, and after that, it was over,” he lamented, crossing the line just ten seconds behind the leading duo.
As the race progressed, Grégoire found himself contending with a determined chasing group led by Ewen Costiou. In the final 15 kilometers, Costiou and his teammates attempted to rally for a podium finish, but ultimately, the speed of the lead group was overpowering. “Once we caught Romain, the goal was to… help him recover,” Costiou explained. Grégoire managed to secure a respectable fourth place in what has become a recurring result for him this season, following similar finishes at Strade Bianche and Brabantse Pijl.
Despite the disappointment of missing the podium, both Grégoire and Costiou’s performances were promising indicators of their potential. “The goal was the podium… but that’s racing,” Benoît reflected. Looking ahead to Wednesday’s La Flèche Wallonne, he emphasized their ambition to aim high, stating, “it will be a very different race, but we still want to aim as high as possible.”
Romain Grégoire continues to demonstrate his rising talent in the world of cycling, marking another chapter in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
