On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the cycling world witnessed the thrilling conclusion of the Faun-Ardèche Classic, where Romain Grégoire of Team Groupama-FDJ clinched his first victory of the season. The race, part of the Boucles Drôme Ardèche series, spanned 165.9 kilometers and ended dramatically with Grégoire crossing the finish line solo after taking advantage of confusion among the leading pack.
The race kicked off with excitement as seven riders broke away early on, including notable names such as Jonas Gregaard and Kamiel Bonneu. This lead group initially gained up to two minutes over the peloton, but as the race progressed, they were eventually caught by the main pack, led primarily by UAE Team Emirates and Lidl-Trek riders.
The final kilometers of the race saw several attacks, with Lorenzo Fortunato of XDS Astana making significant moves, particularly on the tough climbs of Val d’Enfer and Saint-Romain-de-Lerps. The Italian cyclist looked poised for victory but, just 200 meters from the finish, fate took its turn. A collective misdirection caused many riders, including favorites Juan Ayuso and Marc Hirschi, to follow the wrong route, leading them astray.
Grégoire, maintaining his composure, took the correct path and surged to the front, arriving at the finish line after 4 hours, 13 minutes, and 22 seconds, clocking an average speed of 39.3 km/h. Marco Brenner from the Tudor Pro Cycling Team secured second place just three seconds later, followed by Fortunato who rounded out the podium.
This chaotic finale echoes the recent events from the Algarve Tour, where missteps earlier had similarly impacted the outcomes of key stages. Reflecting on this, Grégoire remarked, “I took my chance and I was rewarded for my patience.” His win at the Faun-Ardèche Classic not only showcases his burgeoning talent but also places him firmly on the map for the 2025 cycling season.
The top ten finishers of the race included:
- 1. Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) - 4:13:22
- 2. Marco Brenner (Tudor Pro Cycling) - +0:03
- 3. Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) - same time
- 4. Clément Champoussin (XDS Astana) - +0:07
- 5. Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana) - +0:08
- 6. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) - +0:10
- 7. Javier Romo (Movistar) - +0:22
- 8. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) - +0:22
- 9. Enric Mas (Movistar) - +0:31
- 10. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) - +0:41
The race, celebrated for its challenging terrain and unpredictable nature, is expected to be analyzed extensively by teams and cyclists alike as they prepare for future competitions. Grégoire’s victory is symbolic of perseverance and strategic racing, showcasing why he is considered one of the promising talents of contemporary cycling.
Compare this to his previous performance during the Algarve Tour, where he finished fourth. This race's outcome boosts his confidence heading forward, providing him momentum as he continues the season.
With the Faun-Ardèche Classic concluded, the anticipation now builds for upcoming races within the Boucles Drôme Ardèche series. Teams will evaluate their strategies and areas of improvement as they head back to the drawing board, ensuring thrilling performances for fans and audiences worldwide.