Grégoire prolongs the tricolor intoxication in the Basque Country. After the Paul Lapeira revelation on the second stage, Romain Grégoire embellished his flattering label with the imminent promise of French cycling by winning the 5th stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Friday, his first World Tour bouquet, at only 21 years old.
At the end of a fast-paced day, the Groupama – FDJ puncher beat Orluis Aular (Caja Rural), second, and Maximilian Schachmann (BORA – hansgrohe), third, in a sprint. The latter performed well overall, coming within two seconds of the yellow jersey worn by Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek).
Like its roads, the scenarios of the 63rd edition of Itzulia are indomitable, indecipherable. On the eve of the big explanation announced, during the 6th and final stage, the main contenders – at least what remains of them – made a few accelerations here and there, without ever really discovering themselves. It must be said that the route and the weather did not favor the emergence of a large-scale clearing operation.
Millimeter sprint and photo finish
If the tailwind pushed the riders onto the slopes of the main difficulty of the final circuit around Amorebieta, the climb of Muniketagaina (3rd cat, 3.5 km at 7.3%), the rest of the route was beaten with a headwind, annihilating zealous initiatives. Patient, placed in the right car at the top 12 miles from the goal, Romain Grégoire did not give in to the temptation to shake up the battalion before an arrival which seemed promised to a small committee. UAE Emirates tried, but neither the restless Isaac Del Toro nor the opportunist Brandon McNulty managed to corrupt the vigilance of Lidl-Trek and its yellow jersey, Mattias Skjelmose.
Le Bisontin did everything well, like a runner with experience that he is not yet. Protected from the wind behind the wake of Maximilian Schachmann, Grégoire moved to the German’s right, and, after a furious sprint concluded with a throw from his bike, the Frenchman won for the first time. time in a World Tour event. A victory acquired after the intervention of the photo finish, as it was so complicated to decide between Grégoire, Aular (second) and Schachmann (third).
The massacre continues: hit in the collarbone, Landa leaves the race in turn
Failed on the wire for the day’s victory, the German from BORA – hansgrohe can console himself with the good performance of the day overall, coming back two seconds from the yellow jersey which Skjelmose narrowly retains. With the bonuses awarded to the winner in his pocket, Grégoire moves up to fifth place, in ambush for the podium (+ 8”), one place behind Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa – B&B Hotels, + 6”). On Saturday, the series of difficulties promises a breathtaking final lift with its share of surprises. A 6th stage in which Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) will not take part, injured in the collarbone and forced to abandon Friday after a fall at the start of the stage. Enough to extend the long list of injuries in this 63rd edition which could mark the end of a 17-year drought for French cycling in stage races.