Very fit at the start of Tour de France, Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) seemed to be off to win on the 19th stage! The French puncher attacked 23 kilometers from the finish to isolate a group of strong but fell a few kilometers later, saying goodbye to victory. This victory finally returned to Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who won alone, but the Frenchman appeared very disappointed on arrival, in a day when he had “of great sensations”.
“I think if Romeo does not fall …”
Romain Grégoire certainly missed out on his best chance of winning on this Tour de Francewhich obviously made him very disappointed: “I think that I had done everything well until this fall. I was escaped from 13 runners on roads that I knew, with great sensations. I think there was really better to make after. Here, it is I who make the fault too. I think that if Roméo does not fall, I can perhaps get out because I knew this turn, I knew it was closing. Fail, so it's a shame. There had been a great opportunity anyway to seek the stage victory. Even if, given the number made by Kaden Groves, it would have been very complicated to beat him. It was the fastest and in addition, it is the strongest at the pedal. It would have been complicated, but I felt good. I would have liked to be in the match until the end. Being forward on these roads, to be encouraged like that, it really worn me. On the one hand, it adds a small positive point to the day and on the other, it adds a little dramaturgy to the scenario. That is to say, it would have been even more beautiful to win in front of them.
Despite the impressive nature of his fall, the Frenchman does not seem severely touched and should again try things during the last stage this Sunday: “It's a little bit open to the elbow and the knee, but three times nothing. The hip required only 4-5 stitches. The doctor did this on the bus. At least, it was done, I could leave quietly tomorrow. We will see how the little injuries go and see how I wake up tomorrow morning.
