Thibaud Gruel delivers another top-10

# Thibaud Gruel Shines with Sixth-Place Finish at Classique Dunkerque

Just nine days after a challenging crash in the Tro Bro Leon, Thibaud Gruel returned to the racing scene with an impressive performance at the Classique Dunkerque on Tuesday. Battling through tough weather conditions, the young French rider showcased his skills on the demanding uphill finish in Mont-Saint-Éloi, securing a solid sixth place—just six seconds behind solo winner Artem Shmidt. This outcome bodes well for his participation in the upcoming 4 Jours de Dunkerque, starting tomorrow.

The second edition of the Classique Dunkerque-Grand Prix des Hauts-de-France featured a revamped route, shifting the finish line to Mont-Saint-Éloi. The final stretch was particularly challenging, with the last 600 meters averaging a gradient of 5%, making it less favorable for pure sprinters. “It rained for almost the entire race,” said Yvon Caër, reflecting on the grueling day. “On top of that, we rode on many narrow roads, through numerous villages, so it was tiring both physically and mentally.” A breakaway of three riders initially led by nearly seven minutes, but as the race progressed, the peloton managed to reduce the gap to two minutes.

As the race heated up, a surge of speed transformed the dynamics of the peloton. “Given how hard the day already was, when the pace suddenly increased, a lot of riders got dropped,” Caër noted. The reduced peloton approached the finishing hill with a sense of urgency, as Artem Shmidt executed a masterful breakaway, establishing a significant lead.

“It took time for the peloton to organize because teammates had to come back, and he put in a huge ride,” Yvon commented on Shmidt’s performance. Gruel’s team did their utmost to position him well for the climb. “The goal was to position Thibaud for the finishing climb, and the guys did that really well,” Yvon added.

Thibaud himself shared his thoughts on the race: “I was near the front, exactly where I wanted to be. Because of that, in the climb, I wasn’t affected at all by the crash, which happened behind me. Maybe I launched my sprint just a little too early, but I have no regrets. The riders ahead of me were stronger. I’m where I belong.”

With Shmidt taking the victory, Gruel’s sixth-place finish was met with satisfaction from his team. “We have no regrets,” Yvon stated. “Thibaud had an opening, and I’d rather see him commit and launch his effort than wait and risk getting boxed in.”

Thibaud expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout the race. “The team trusted me and supported me well throughout the day,” he reflected. Looking forward, he feels optimistic about the upcoming races. “It’s a good sign for the rest of the week, and there are still plenty of great things to achieve.”

Yvon concluded with a positive outlook for the upcoming event: “We’ll also have three fresh riders joining us for the 4 Jours de Dunkerque, namely Valentin, Bastien, and Tom. We’ll have strong cards to play, and the momentum is positive.”