Cycling: The new Alaphilippe arrives, France can dream

With the retirement of Thibaut Pinot and the pronounced decline of Julian Alaphilippe, France is looking for a new darling. She won’t have to wait long because a phenomenon called Romain Grégoire emerges at just 20 years old. The future of French cycling rests on the shoulders of the Groupama-FDJ crack star and those of his teammate Lenny Martinez.

This season marks an important turning point in the history of French cycling. After the Tour of Lombardy, Thibaut Pinotthe only tricolor to have come close to the best on a Grand Tour over the last decade, will withdraw from the peloton. At the same time, Julian Alaphilippewho dominated the peloton on the Classics but which also shone on the Tour de Francehas been on a slippery slope since his serious injury in 2022. But don’t worry, succession is assured.

Romain Grégoire’s explosion

In a profile similar to that of Julian Alaphilippethe France will be able, and can already count, on Romain Grégoire. For his first professional season with the Groupama-FDJ, the 20-year-old runner took on two stage races. He first shone on the 4 Days of Dunkirk before winning the Limousin Tour. He will certainly never win Grand Tours, but its profile will clearly allow it to shine on the greatest classics. He showed that he also had the legs by performing a Vuelta rather interesting where he almost won a stage. But in addition to Romain Grégoireanother young shoot from the Groupama-FDJ caused a sensation.

Cycling: Proof that Alaphilippe still has high ambitions! https://t.co/US3kMQmV8A pic.twitter.com/UtXvMitOiz

— le10sport (@le10sport) September 21, 2023

The Lenny Martinez phenomenon

As Romain Grégoire, Lenny Martinez played the first professional season of his career this year. And it was crowned with success! Winner of the classic Mont Ventouxthe phenomenon was revealed to the eyes of the general public thanks to the Vuelta where he wore the leader’s jersey for two days. Pure climber and still perfected on the chrono, Martinez presents himself as the worthy successor of Pinot et The bard to go get a Grand Tour, with added driving qualities. We have to go back to 1995 and Laurent Jalabert on the Vuelta to see a Frenchman win a Grand Tour. An eternity but French cycling is in good hands.