"We did everything right today, but Herrada was just better" - Romain Grégoire is disappointed with defeat on Laguna Negra

Romain Grégoire finished second at La Laguna Negra on Wednesday. A rider with whom he already fought several duels in the Tour du Limousin ended in front of him: Jesús Herrada.

In France Grégoire was even better of the two. "I would have preferred him to win in the Limousin," the Groupama-FDJ youngster is disappointed after the finish.

Read also

"Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard are still our most protected riders" - Marc Reef lays out Jumbo-Visma plan for remainder of the Vuelta a Espana

"We did everything right today," Grégoire looks back. "The plan was perfect, but Herrada was just better. That's why I'm disappointed. I do know that he is very strong and that I can be happy with a second place, but you don't fill a list of achievements with second places."

With a view to the rest of the Vuelta, the Frenchman remains optimistic. "I'm currently in a good shape and I don't regret anything. My chances are coming now. We are going for stage wins and we also have Lenny Martinez in a good position in the general classification."

Read also

Chris Froome defends himself after doping accusations from Armstrong: "We climb faster because we are better athletes"

"It's incredible to be in this position doing three Grand Tours, I never wanted to do 2 in the same year" - Lance Armstrong very impressed with Sepp Kuss