Tour de France 2023 – Honorable mention to be confirmed for David Gaudu (Groupama – FDJ)

“We made the day we wanted to make this morning“Philippe Mauduit is not choosy after this first mountainous episode. The Groupama-FDJ team did not sign a bang, but for its sports director, it did the job by protecting its leader David Gaudu , author of a solid stage on Wednesday between Pau and Laruns.Arrived in the same group as Tadej Pogacar, the Breton has more reasons to be satisfied with it than the Slovenian.

“I felt good all day, so that’s a good omen“, commented the tricolor climber. In the climb of the Marie-Blanque pass, he was one of the last to lose contact with Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, when the two big arms were still together before the defending champion go into top gear.

“Among the group of favorites, I switch to third at the top behind Vingegaard and Pogacar. I managed my climb, even if it was really hard“, he added. After the summit, Gaudu was able to make the connection with the white jersey, in particular with the help of Valentin Madouas, present at the front in the breakaway of the day. “The tactic was to be one step ahead in order to be a fulcrum for David in the final“, explained the blue, white, red jersey.

Madiot: “We are rather serene”

A month after his very worrying Dauphiné, David Gaudu is better. His performance during the French championship had already reassured. His start to the Tour does not say anything else. “It’s good for the head, admits the one who finished at the foot of the podium in Paris last year (4th) and who, for the moment at least, is in time to play in the same category during this 2023 edition.”Buthe recalls, the Tour is still very, very long, it was only the first mountain stage, we have not yet reached the summit.”

After five stages, three of which are rather tough on paper, he is in 10th place in the general classification, 1’56” from the new Australian yellow jersey Jai Hindley, but close to the podium. “David is in the nailsJudge Mauduit. We saw today that there were big gaps, that it was going to be a difficult Tour and what he did today is very good. In general, the whole team was really involved and they all did the job.”

Same story with Marc Madiot. “It’s a good day. We are rather calm, assures the manager. In the last week of the Tour, you will have to be solid, have reservations and David is more of a rider who finishes his big laps well..” So far, so good.