Romain Grégoire clearly belongs among the big names. This Saturday, he provided further proof during a 2026 edition of Strade Bianche that was as demanding as it was spectacular. Three years after finishing eighth on his race debut, the Frenchman made a strong impression on Tuscany’s gravel roads and quickly established himself among the strongest riders in the race. A status he confirmed in the streets of Siena, after 85 kilometres of fierce fighting, launching a sharp attack to secure a superb fourth place.
On the occasion of the race’s twentieth anniversary, the 2026 Strade Bianche featured another route change. Compared to the previous two years, ten kilometres were removed for a total distance closer to 200 km, notably with the removal of a long mid-race sector. The key points of the race, however, remained the same: the decisive Monte Sante Marie sector and the two final laps. Anticipating a chaotic race, many riders initially tried to gain an early advantage. Tom Donnenwirth was among those fighting to join the breakaway during the first hour before six riders eventually managed to get clear, albeit with a very small gap as they were controlled by Tadej Pogačar’s team. “Everyone in the group was involved right from the start,” said Yvon Caër. “They were really committed, and physically they were also up to the task.” The ingredients were therefore there to start the race in the best possible way. So when the peloton hit Monte Sante Marie with 85 kilometres to go, just behind the breakaway, Groupama-FDJ did not miss the moment. “Romain’s positioning was excellent at the key moment,” Yvon added. “Then he did what he knows how to do, and even a little better. I think he’s taken a real step forward physically.”
“Clément keeps moving forward step by step” – Yvon Caër
Placed among the first fifteen riders entering the sector, the young rider from Besançon gradually moved closer to the front as UAE Team Emirates-XRG began to split the race apart. After barely a kilometre, only around ten riders remained in the lead group, including Romain Grégoire, before Tadej Pogačar made his move and rode clear. On the steepest slopes, the 23-year-old Frenchman managed to follow Tom Pidcock and Matteo Jorgenson in a third group, which bridged across to the second one containing Paul Seixas and Isaac Del Toro shortly after the sector. Then, on a long transition section towards the finishing lap, around ten riders managed to come back from behind, including… Clément Braz Afonso. “He just keeps moving forward step by step,” added Yvon. “He surprises us, but actually, he confirms his potential. Being at this level in his first Strade Bianche is great. Physically, he’s becoming a very, very strong rider.” In a group of around fifteen riders, more than a minute behind Pogačar, Groupama-FDJ therefore had two riders represented.
However, after the first ascent of Colle Pinzuto and the climb of Le Tolfe, following a crash and several accelerations, Romain Grégoire lost his teammate. A few minutes later, he himself was briefly caught out by a strong counterattack. “There was just a small scare,” Yvon explained. “He was close to missing it, but he managed to make the jump smartly.” The chasing group then broke apart, and seven riders clearly emerged to battle for the podium places. On the second lap of the final, the decisive move came on Colle Pinzuto, where Seixas and Del Toro broke away. Just ten seconds behind at one point, Romain Grégoire and the rest of the chase continued to push until the climb of Le Tolfe finally settled the situation. “I reassured Romain by telling him that no one would come back from behind and that he needed to manage a bit, because I think he still had the idea of bridging to Seixas and Del Toro in the back of his mind,” Yvon added. The run back to Siena therefore became a fight for the top five, and on the final ramps of the day — on the legendary Via Santa Caterina — Romain Grégoire gave himself the chance to achieve that goal. With a trademark punchy attack, the Frenchman came over the climb in first position and managed to keep a few metres’ advantage before heading towards Piazza del Campo.
“I’m really happy with the level I showed” – Romain Grégoire
In the end: a fourth place of great value. “He’s really strong in this kind of battle, especially with a punchy finish,” said Yvon. “The goal was a top five. Considering the level of competition, we’re very satisfied and really happy. He rode a great race, but if he was there at the start of the decisive moves, it’s also thanks to his teammates.” “I really enjoyed today,” said the rider himself. “I rediscovered the race I had loved three years ago. My goal was a top five, and I achieved it, so it’s a great day. Of course I thought about the podium, but considering who was ahead, I think I did the best race I possibly could. I didn’t yet have many references in Classics like this, meaning a race this intense for more than 100 kilometres. Today I found myself at the front with riders like Jorgenson and Pidcock, fighting over the last 80 kilometres… I’m really happy with the level I showed. It’s really cool, but that’s also why I worked hard all winter. A top five at WorldTour level is great, and hopefully there’s more to come.” With the best result of his career so far in a major Classic, the young man now turns his attention to another Italian monument: Milano–Sanremo.
