PARIS (AFP) – Frenchman Romain Gregoire could hardly believe his luck watching the lead group of around 12 riders take a wrong turn at a roundabout at the Ardeche Classic on Saturday.
The slip follows a similar incident at the Tour of the Algarve last week where Gregoire was also present.
But on Saturday it was the lead group, including race favourite and defending champion Juan Ayuso of Team UAE Emirates, who made the embarrassing gaffe.
“I have to admit it’s a very strange feeling with these riders who made a mistake 300 metres from the line,” said the FDJ rider Gregoire, who held his head in disbelief at the winning post.
The lead group followed a television motorbike into a right turn when in fact they should have gone straight ahead.
At the exit of the roundabout, two riders also fell in the general confusion, leaving Gregoire all alone, several lengths ahead of the German Marco Brenner and the Italian Lorenzo Fortunato, whom he beat by three seconds at the finish.
Bizarrely Gregoire was involved in the mix-up in Portugal in February.
“I was in the Algarve and this time I had no doubts, I took the right route. It’s the riders’ fault, so I’ll try to enjoy it anyway. I won and that’s what counts.”
