In a difficult position for a long time this Sunday during the 110th edition of the Tour of Flanders, the Groupama-FDJ United cycling team ultimately managed to partially turn things around on the second Monument of the season. Caught out by a decisive move 100 kilometres from the finish and pushed back into a second group, the French squad’s riders still fought all the way to the line, with Valentin Madouas finishing in 16th place. Romain Grégoire (22nd) and Axel Huens (23rd) crossed the line shortly after.
Between Antwerp and Oudenaarde, the grand celebration of Belgian cycling unfolded this Easter Sunday over 278 kilometers marked by history, difficulty, and a unique atmosphere. For its 110th edition, the Tour of Flanders returned to a route largely similar to recent years, featuring the iconic Oude Kwaremont–Paterberg sequence, tackled twice, as well as the Koppenberg in between. However, before reaching the first cobbled climbs, no fewer than 140 kilometres had to be covered from Antwerp, during which a breakaway of thirteen riders managed to form. Taking advantage of a semi-neutralization in the peloton following a railway crossing, the fugitives were able to begin the first ascent of the Oude Kwaremont with a five-minute lead. After the halfway point, tensions began to rise in the bunch, and Axel Huens was the first to animate the race on the Wolvenberg. The Frenchman was caught, the pace increased through the next two cobbled sectors, and the peloton stretched significantly approaching the Molenberg, 104 kilometers from the finish. It was precisely at that moment that the race took a decisive turn. Around fifteen riders broke away on that climb, and the Groupama-FDJ United team was not among them.
“There is always that little something missing” – Valentin Madouas
“Axel could have been there, but he was pushed aside by another rider on the approach and lost contact with the front of the peloton,” explained Frédéric Guesdon. “It was mostly about positioning, and some riders may still lack experience. The cohesion might not have been optimal, but we did see riders get over the Molenberg without a teammate. I think we could also have been there by acting individually, but that’s racing. Everyone wants to be at the front at that moment, but there isn’t room for everyone.” “Unfortunately, none of the big favorites were caught out, which doesn’t happen often, and the gap opened immediately,” added Valentin. “We missed that move, and from then on it became very complicated.” The favorites’ group quickly gained a one-minute lead over the rest of the peloton, where Johan Jacobs tried to lead the chase as best he could. “We tried to put things right, but we knew it would be difficult against the big guns,” said Frédéric Guesdon. At the start of the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, nearly two minutes separated the leading contenders—already on the attack—from the peloton, where Thibaud Gruel, Valentin Madouas, Romain Grégoire, and Axel Huens were still in contention. “We had to hold on and never give up to try to achieve the result we wanted—a top 10,” said the former French champion.
Before the final passage over the Oude Kwaremont, a loop of around forty kilometers including the Koppenberg and the Taaienberg allowed Pogačar and Van der Poel to break clear at the front, while a group of nine riders moved away from the peloton with Valentin Madouas and Romain Grégoire, battling for a top-15 finish. At the summit of the final Oude Kwaremont, only the Breton rider remained in this chasing group, which ultimately contested 12th place after the final ascent of the Paterberg and the last thirteen kilometres to Oudenaarde. After a small-group sprint, Valentin Madouas finished in 16th place. Romain Grégoire and Axel Huens crossed the line about a minute later in 22nd and 23rd positions. “We’re disappointed to have missed the decisive move and with the result, but the riders fought hard all the way to the end,” said Frédéric. “I think we had a top 10 in our legs because we didn’t finish that far back and we were physically in the fight,” Valentin reflected. “Unfortunately, the move on the Molenberg cost us dearly. It’s a bit of the story of these Classics. We have a strong and well-balanced group, but there’s always that little something missing to secure a big result.” The “Flemish Classics” group now has one more opportunity next Sunday with the “Queen of the Classics.”
