Frenchman Romain Gregoire could hardly believe his luck on Saturday watching the lead group of about 12 riders take a wrong turn at a roundabout at the Ardeche Classic.
The slip follows a similar incident at The Volta ao Algarve last week where Gregoire was also present.
On Saturday it was the lead group, including race favorite and defending champion Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates, who made the embarrassing gaffe.
Photo: AFP
“I have to admit it’s a very strange feeling with these riders who made a mistake 300m from the line,” said Groupama-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 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 German Marco Brenner and Italian Lorenzo Fortunato, whom he beat by three seconds at the finish.
Bizarrely Gregoire was involved in the mix-up in Portugal last month.
“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,” he said.
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