The Italian campaign continues for the Groupama-FDJ United cycling team. This Wednesday, on the demanding Giro della Toscana’s course, Brieuc Rolland carried the French team’s hopes into the closing stages, eventually securing 18th place in Pontedera after the double ascent of Monte Serra. On Thursday, Romain Grégoire will rejoin the squad for the Coppa Sabatini.
Three days after the GP Industria & Artigianato in Larciano, the Groupama-FDJ United’s Italian campaign moved to the province of Pisa this Wednesday for the Giro della Toscana. Making its first appearance in the race, the French team faced a 190-kilometre course featuring the Monte Serra as its main difficulty (8.5 km at 7%), with the climb tackled twice in the second half of the race. “Maxime and Brieuc were the two protected riders,” explained Frédéric Guesdon. “If the pace wasn’t too high on the climbs, we could also count on Tom, but with the climbers at the start, the fast men were likely to be eliminated”. A classic race scenario quickly took shape, with a five-man breakaway controlled by the teams of the main favourites. After 100 kilometres, the riders tackled the first ascent of the climb. “It was already pretty hard, and the bunch was whittled down. Then, during the transition, Brieuc managed to follow a group that got clear,” Frédéric recounted. “It potentially could have worked if there had been a Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe rider in there, but ultimately it didn’t come off. In any case, Brieuc didn’t waste energy trying.”
“Brieuc needs to experience days like this” – Frédéric Guesdon
The pack was therefore together when they began the second ascent of Monte Serra, 35 kilometres from the finish. The attacks started early, with several favourites making their moves, and the selection naturally took place at the foot of the climb and then approaching the summit, on the steepest sections. Maxime Decomble was forced to lose ground three kilometres from the top, while Brieuc Rolland lost contact slightly 1,500 metres from the summit, but did not crack. “Towards the top, we knew we had to hang on and keep pushing because the gap could still be closed,” Frédéric explained. “There were 26 kilometres left to the finish, so everything was still possible and the front group could also look at each other. Proof of that was the fact that Brieuc did a very good descent and, one kilometre later, rejoined a small peloton of around twenty riders. He absolutely had to keep fighting all the way to the finish if he wanted to get a result.” In the chase, the young Breton then left the work to the overrepresented teams behind a ten-man breakaway that had gone clear on Monte Serra.
Over the final 15 kilometres, the gap constantly fluctuated between ten and twenty seconds, but the chasing group was never able to fully close it. Giulio Pellizzari therefore prevailed from the breakaway, while the “peloton” crossed the line 14 seconds later. “Brieuc could have been there fighting for the win; it wasn’t far off,” Frédéric explained. “In the final, he was starting to feel ‘empty’, and positioning was going to be crucial for the sprint. I told him to get on Ulissi’s wheel. He was well positioned until one kilometre from the finish, but then he didn’t have the legs anymore.” Within his group, Brieuc finished eighth, securing 18th place overall. “We always hope for more, but when you look at the level of the race, the pace on the climb, and the way Brieuc fought, there isn’t much to regret,” Frédéric added. “The way the climb was raced put us on the back foot, but Brieuc still stepped up and showed the commitment that is such a key part of his character. He needs to experience days like this to keep progressing.”
The focus now turns to the Coppa Sabatini and its punchy circuit around Peccioli. “Tomorrow’s circuit suits Romain very well, or even Axel, who has already finished fifth here,” Frédéric concluded. “Everyone is very motivated, and it’s the kind of course where we have the strengths to be competitive and fight for a strong result.”