There couldn’t have been a better conclusion. On Sunday, in the U23 edition of Paris-Tours, Maxime Decomble celebrated his very last race with “La Conti” Groupama-FDJ with a solo victory, and in style. The young French rider thus capped off his exceptional end to the season in the most spectacular way, while the French development team claimed a one-two finish thanks to Reef Roberts’ second place. A memorable day to wrap up the season.
A few hours before the “big boys”, the under-23 riders competed this Sunday in their own edition of Paris-Tours, on a route identical in every way, with only the first thirty-five kilometres removed. For its last race “as a team” in 2025, “La Conti” therefore took the start from Bonneval and had to cover 100 kilometres before tackling the first hills and vineyard paths. “First there was a small breakaway of five riders, then there was the strategic point at Vendôme,” Jérôme Gannat introduced. “The wind was perfect to create echelons, and the most complicated thing was to position in the town of Vendôme. A first peloton of forty broke away, then a group of nineteen in which we had three riders! It was very good, and with the tailwind to reach Tours, we knew that it favoured the breakaway.” When the first group joined the early breakaway, 85 kilometres from the finish, “La Conti” had Eliott Boulet, Reef Roberts and Maxime Decomble in the lead. “We knew that the wind was going to play a major role,” said the latter. “I was a little apprehensive, but I found myself in front with Reef and Eliott, and it was the ideal scenario.”
“It’s incredible to finish like this,” Maxime Decomble
This first “peloton” gradually increased the gap on the next one and tackled the first paths with a one-minute lead. The group gradually lost some units in the front, before Maxime Decomble made a push with three other men shortly after entering the final forty kilometres. “It was a strong group, and we had two guys controlling behind,” added Jérôme. The quartet quickly built up a thirty-second lead, then the rider from “La Conti” went solo on a climb with twenty kilometres to go. “He attacked at the right time, because the climb was followed by a vineyard path with tailwind,” added Jérôme. In this section, the young man showed his power and easily opened up a gap on his rivals. After the final climb, nine kilometres from the finish line, he had a one-minute lead over his closest chasers. “With the tailwind, I knew I could go all the way,” he said. “I was informed about the gaps, and that kept me calm.” At the same time, Reef Roberts entered a counterattack group with a rider from Lidl-Trek Future Racing! “Given Max’s quality in time trial, we were pretty confident, so we didn’t need to tell Reef to stop,” explained Jérôme.
In the lead, Maxime Decomble was indeed able to continue his solo run all the way to Tours, where he had plenty of time to enjoy a resounding victory. “My legs were really hurting, but I told myself I shouldn’t crack at the end,” he confided. “It was enough, and what’s more, Reef finished second. It’s crazy! It’s my first victory of the year, and my first victory at all with Groupama-FDJ in a road race. It’s incredible to finish like this. We hesitated to stop after the European Championship, but I wanted to finish in Paris-Tours because I hadn’t raced with La Conti since the end of July. I did well, and it’s also a way to thank the team for everything they did for me. To finish my U23 years like this, after the Tour de l’Avenir (5th, 5 days in yellow, editor’s note), the World and European Championships (3rd and 2nd, editor’s note), is amazing.” “It wasn’t really a race that suited his profile, but he was just strong,” added Jérôme. “The hardest thing for him was to fight for position in Vendôme to be in the first echelon. His previous results have given him confidence, and it’s important that he finally wins a race!”
Before the Chrono des Nations, where some riders will compete individually, “La Conti” ended its season in style, with a fourth success. “It’s the first 1-2 finish of the year, and it makes everyone extremely happy to finish in this way,” concluded Jérôme. “It was a perfect day. We were really everywhere: Eliott finished sixth, Baptiste and Titouan were in the pack. For over a month, the overall team spirit has been very good, we’ve been racing as a team, and we’ve been in the mix in all the races. It’s important to finish a season on a good note, and we hope to continue this momentum in 2026!”