Groupama-FDJ Battles Hard in Brussels Cycling Classic

Despite lacking a pure sprinter, teh groupama-FDJ team animated the Brussels Cycling Classic, marked by climbs of the grammont wall, with aggressive racing and a tenth-place finish from young Thibaud Gruel.

Early Breakaway and Tactical Shifts

Cyril Barthe joined the day’s initial breakaway, showcasing Groupama-FDJ’s intent to make the race challenging. The move aligned with the team’s strategy, given their roster composition, according to William Green. “The sprinter’s set was strong,we had no real sprinter in the team,but we had a lot of punchers,” he noted.

The breakaway’s maximum advantage reached four minutes before Intermarché-Wanty controlled the peloton, setting up a chase toward the Grammont climbs. The team aimed to disrupt the expected sprint finish.

Grammont Wall Action

As the race hit the Grammont wall,the peloton fractured. An initial counterattack saw Thibaud Gruel present, though Groupama-FDJ missed representation in a subsequent nine-rider move. The team than contributed to the chase, hoping to leverage Johan and Thibaud’s strengths.

After the junction with Barthe’s group, three riders escaped before the final ascent of the Grammont. Gruel remained attentive, while Barthe worked to distance sprinters. The efforts proved strategic as the race headed toward Brussels.

Final kilometers and Sprint

In the closing kilometers, attacks flew, including a late surge by Eddy, demonstrating the team’s relentless approach. “It is a good thing for him that he felt this movement and that he tried it,” said Green, highlighting the team’s proactive racing.

Cyril Barthe then positioned Thibaud Gruel for the sprint, placing him third with 500 meters remaining. Despite a strong position, gruel couldn’t hold off the charging sprinters, finishing tenth. According to a 2023 study,effective lead-out trains can improve a sprinter’s chances of winning by up to 20% (ProCyclingStats).

Team Satisfaction

“We have no regrets,” stated William Green, reflecting on the team’s performance. “We are satisfied with our day, and especially Cyril.” Green praised Barthe’s resilience and work ethic, emphasizing the team’s overall progress compared to the previous year.