"When you get too close to the sun, you get burned" - Romain Gregoire explodes attempting to follow Tadej Pogacar's Cipressa assault at Milano-Sanremo

Mathieu van der Poel took victory at a thrilling edition of Milano-Sanremo in 2025 on Saturday afternoon in Italy. It was a brutal attack by Tadej Pogacar on the Cipressa that opened up the fight for the victory, a moment that ultimately cost Groupama - FDJ's hopefuls Romain Grégoire .

"I had asked my team to really put me right in front from the Cipressa in case they attacked. I was really in the right place at the right time," explained Grégoire in a post-race interview at the finish line with Eurosport. Despite being perfectly positioned for the inevitable acceleration from UAE Team Emirates - XRG and Tadej Pogacar though, actually matching such a move is a lot easier said than done.

"I went for it without hesitating when the pace really picked up. Unfortunately, I guess it’s like the saying goes: when you get too close to the sun, you get burned, and that’s what happened to me," the Frenchman concludes his recap honestly. "I don’t regret trying, even though my leg gave out, but I do regret not getting a result when I felt good (30th). It’s still a disappointment; I don’t feel like I’m being rewarded for my effort."