Groupama-FDJ leader Grégoire hopes to hang on longer over the Cipressa: “The most open race of the year”

Grégoire made his Milan-San Remo debut in 2025 and was perfectly placed when Tadej Pogačar lit up the Cipressa. Together with Mathieu van der Poel and Filippo Ganna, he was the only rider able to respond at first, but the second acceleration proved too much. He paid heavily for the effort and eventually finished 30th on Via Roma, yet it was still a ride that hinted at what may be possible in the future.

This year, the rider from Besançon hopes to go one step further. He knows exactly where the key moment lies. “Milan-San Remo is the most open race of the year, and that is clearly an advantage for us,” Grégoire said through his team channels. “I’m coming here with the ambition to play a role at the front of the race. The goal is clear: to be perfectly positioned when the real battle begins, especially on the Cipressa.”

There is no doubt about Grégoire’s condition. He finished fifth overall at the Ruta del Sol, then took victory in the Faun Drôme Classic by beating Matteo Jorgenson. Three days later, he finished runner-up at Trofeo Laigueglia, before taking fourth place at Strade Bianche, even if he ended that race more than two minutes behind winner Pogačar.

But Milan-San Remo is, of course, a completely different challenge from the race around Siena. This time, Grégoire hopes not just to survive the decisive move, but to remain with the very best for longer. “This year, the plan is to reach a new level, to stay with the leaders all the way to the summit and keep riding with them,” he said. “From there, anything is possible, and I want to be ready to take my chance and fight for a big result.”

On Saturday, Grégoire will be supported by Clément Braz Afonso, Kevin Geniets, Johan Jacobs, Quentin Pacher, Clément Russo and Bastien Tronchon.