Romain Grégoire Claims Ardèche Classic Victory Amidst Route Confusion
Romain Grégoire will undoubtedly remember his first victory of the 2025 season, a triumph tinged with a unique blend of elation and perhaps a touch of bemusement. The French cyclist, representing Groupama-FDJ, secured the Ardèche Classic title on Saturday, March 1st, following a chaotic finale in Guilherand-Granges, Ardèche.
The 22-year-old rider, while clearly pleased with the win, admitted to some mixed feelings. "I’m having a little trouble enjoying it," he confessed to La Chaîne L’Equipe, seemingly a little embarrassed after benefiting from a navigational error made by around a dozen of his rivals. These competitors inadvertently took the wrong exit at a roundabout, effectively removing themselves from contention in the final stretch.
As a result, Romain Grégoire was able to cross the finish line unchallenged, securing the win without the need for a final sprint. Marco Brenner claimed second place, while Lorenzo Fortunato completed the podium in third.
Grégoire, in a pre-race interview with Ouest-France, had foreshadowed the possibility of victory even without being the strongest rider. "You can win without being the strongest," he had predicted. This prediction materialized as he demonstrated superior awareness compared to some of his more formidable opponents, including Juan Ayuso, the 2023 Ardèche Classic champion, and Marc Hirschi. These riders, along with others, mistakenly followed the motorcycles that were exiting the course, a standard procedure at the end of the race but a fatal error in this instance.
The fateful roundabout, which the riders had already navigated twice during the looped course, proved to be the decisive point. Grégoire seized the opportunity presented to him, correctly taking the intended route. "I feel like I didn’t really do the sprint, but we’ll say it’s the fault of the other riders," he remarked, attempting to fully embrace the victory. This win marked his seventh as a professional cyclist.
Interestingly, this was not the first time in recent weeks that Grégoire had benefited from route misdirection. During the first stage of the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal on February 19th, he had also capitalized on a similar error made by a significant portion of the peloton, finishing second behind Filippo Ganna. However, that stage was ultimately annulled by the organizers. The Ardèche Classic victory, however, stands, solidifying Grégoire’s growing prominence in the cycling world. It comes on the heels of a strong performance in the Tour of the Algarve, where he finished fourth overall and secured the white jersey as the best young rider.
Grégoire’s progression in the Ardèche Classic itself is a testament to his development. He finished fifth in 2023 and improved to second place in 2024. Therefore, his victory on Saturday cannot be simply attributed to luck. He was undeniably one of the most active riders throughout the 169.5-kilometer race, consistently launching attacks and demonstrating his strength.
He also acknowledged the crucial role played by his Groupama-FDJ teammates. "We raced really like bosses, and we took responsibility all day," he said. "I was even a little afraid at the mid-point that we were overdoing it, that we were too committed, but we held on well until the final."
Despite the somewhat unusual circumstances of his victory and the "slightly peculiar feeling" that accompanied it, Grégoire affirmed his intention to "enjoy it anyway." This win serves as further confirmation of the high expectations placed on him within the Groupama-FDJ team.
Romain Grégoire has been steadily ascending the ranks within the French team, having extended his contract last summer until 2027. He is now expected to provide support to the team’s leaders during the Tour de France (July 5-27) and to secure further victories, leveraging his strengths as a puncher. With his combination of physical ability and tactical awareness, he has the potential to achieve even greater success. If he can once again demonstrate superior decision-making compared to his rivals, he might even complete a weekend double by winning the Drôme Classic on Sunday, March 2nd.
The victory, while debated by some, highlights the unpredictable nature of cycling and the importance of remaining vigilant and attentive throughout the race. While some may argue that the win was undeserved due to the route error of his competitors, it is undeniable that Grégoire capitalized on the situation and ultimately secured the victory. This win will surely fuel his confidence and provide him with valuable momentum as he progresses through the 2025 season. He has demonstrated he is a rising force in cycling.
