From our special correspondent in Andorra la Vella,
This Tour de France 2021 had started like a fireworks display from July 14 in advance, with an entry victory for Julian Alaphilippe at Landerneau. 14 days followed, and the success of the world champion has not made small. On this torrid Sunday between Céret and Andorra la Vella, the French again stood out during the stage presented as the toughest in the Pyrenees, with the Puymorens pass, the Port d’Envalira, point culminating in the edition from the top of its 2.408 m, and the brand new but vicious Col de Beixalis.
However, the best ranked, David Gaudu, had to be content with a friendly but anonymous 7th place in the end, 1’15 behind the winner Sepp Kuss. “I was very happy to be in the breakaway, appreciates the unexpected Franck Bonnamour, 9th in the principality. In front, it is the world top. I’m not there yet. One day, I hope… “
To animate without winning, that seems the destiny of the Blues in this Tour. “It was close to Aurélien’s heart [Paret-Peintre] to be in front, notes Benoît Cosnefroy, its leader at AG2R-Citroën. He is well placed at the finish (10th) and made a comeback overall (from 13th to 12th place). “
Martin, as expected
As he feared himself, Guillaume Martin fell from his pedestal. Dauphin of the untouchable Pogacar in the morning in Céret, the leader of Cofidis found himself 9th, 5’30 ” from the podium, a few hours later in the Andorran capital. “I ended up at the break in the Port d’Envalira and I was no longer lucid enough for the descent, so I get let go in the first switchbacks, he notes. When you’ve given your all, you can’t be disappointed. ” But still ? “I didn’t expect to win the Tour. I am simply at my level. “
The words are spoken between two sips of an energy drink, a hundred meters from a finish line where the Colombian supporters, in numbers, would have loved to see the triumph of Nairo Quintana, the idol of their people. Weariness is readable in the Norman. As on the features and in the words of Julian Alaphilippe, 12th this Sunday, who should in all likelihood snub the Gipsy Kings concert scheduled for the evening.
Absences and limits
“I was tired, admits the most Andorran of Berrichons, installed in the principality since 2018. I was happy to pass every difficulty, I was thinking of Beixalis. But, when Kuss attacked, it was done in the leg. There was no photo! Despite all their efforts, the French, also dropped in the race for distinctive jerseys, failed to rekindle the little patriotic flame that slumbers in every French follower.
Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet are not there to feed the great illusion of a first general victory since 1985. Nans Peters, winner last year at Loudenvielle, tarried prematurely, like the sprinter Arnaud Démare, imitated this Sunday by a Nacer Bouhanni not recovered from his fall on Friday between Nîmes and Carcassonne. Host of the 2017 Tour, Warren Barguil, also diminished, had given up on taking the start in Céret.
After the much desired day of rest on Monday, there will remain six dates so as not to see the French counter blocked at a victory, as in 2011, 2013 and 2016. And still we are kind enough to count the cons -the Saturday watch in Gironde and the stages for sprinters on Friday in Libourne and Sunday on the Champs-Elysées, which will not be the case for a little guy from back home.
💬 Valentin Madouas: “David had checked this step, we had to do everything to put him in the best conditions. It did not work today but we will try again.” pic.twitter.com/RPuIhNPtwc
– Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team (@GroupamaFDJ) July 11, 2021
“Thursday’s route [Pau – Luz-Ardiden], I know him very, very well, asserts the Bigourdan Bruno Armirail. I hope we can do something. The arrival at the top, it may suit David [Gaudu]. However, the Musketeers of Groupama-FDJ are now only four, three of whom (Armirail, Gaudu and Madouas) animated the Andorran stage on Monday, before surrendering. Courageous but limited. A nice shortcut of the behavior of French riders on this Tour.