"I am very strict with myself. Next year I want to do better in the World Tour" - Romain Gregoire has big plans to continue progression in 2024

Riding his first Grand Tour and getting himself top-10 finishes at races such as Strade Bianche, Romain Gregoire continued his impressive development in 2023. Looking ahead to next year though, he's wanting more tangible success.

"I had hoped for more stages that were tailored to my needs in that race," the Frenchman reflects on his first experience of a Grand Tour at this year's Vuelta a Espana in conversation with Velo101. "There were very few stages suitable for the puncheurs."

The closest Gregoire came to taking a maiden Grand Tour stage win was on stage 11, finishing second behind Jesus Herrada. "But apart from that ride I didn't have many chances," the 20-year-old laments. "For example, I could have also been in the breakaway on the stages where Wout Poels and Remco Evenepoel won."

The highlight of his year though, 8th placed finish at Strade Bianche. "That was my best memory of the year. Then I wanted to go on to the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but I got sick. Perhaps it was too much in retrospect, but it created new possibilities on the calendar," he concludes. "I am very strict with myself. But honestly, in January I signed up for the results I achieved. Next year I want to do better in the World Tour."