"If I had been told that I would be fourth in the Tour de France, I would have signed directly", underlines the Groupama-FDJ rider, outstripped only by the two untouchables, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, and the "best of the rest", British veteran Geraint Thomas.

"You have to be realistic: the three in front, they were just stronger on the pedal," insists the Finistère climber, who has secured the best tricolor result since Romain Bardet five years ago.

The French rider of Groupama-FDJ David Gaudu, 4th in the general classification, at the arrival of the 18th stage of the Tour de France Thursday in Hautacam.

Marco BERTORELLO AFP

Winner of the Tour de l'Avenir in 2016, Gaudu fell a little behind the riders who succeeded him in the winners of this event for the under 23s: ultra-precocious, Egan Bernal and Tadej Pogacar then quickly won the Tour de France, while he must be content with two stage victories in the Vuelta in 2020 and a third place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"As soon as I turned pro, we also bet on progressing every year, step by step," he explained on the set of France Télévisions.

"He knows how to manage"

First in the service of Thibaut Pinot, he had his first experience as a leader in the Grande Boucle in 2021, which he finished in eleventh place.

This year, even if Pinot is back in the Tour, he is leaving once again with bib number one, invested by Marc Madiot with the aim of getting on the podium.

Quite a pressure, which he manages wonderfully, especially in the mountain stages where he never panics when the two big names put on a show in front, climbing at his own pace - high - to finish very strong as they approach the peaks.

"I was in a completely different style from what I usually do in the mountain stages. I was managing, (climbing) all the passes at the tempo, without ever getting into the red."

The French rider of Groupama-FDJ, David Gaudu, in the climb of Alpe d'Huez, during the 12th stage of the Tour de France.

Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

"He knows how to manage well, he doesn't go into areas where he shouldn't, so as not to explode," applauds Marc Madiot.

To get there, Gaudu was able to count on a powerful team and above all a formidable Valentin Madouas, revelation of this Tour, "a 4x4" according to Marc Madiot, who towed him on all terrains and should finish eleventh overall.

Frenchman Valentin Madouas, during the 13th stage of the Tour de France, between Châtel-Guyon and Puy Mary, September 11, 2020 KENZO TRIBOUILLARD AFP / Archives

Room for improvement

"I had never seen him at this level, it's just impressive. He says bravo to me, but I say thank you to him", insists Gaudu about his childhood friend.

The man with glasses also received the support of "two road captains, Thibaut (Pinot, 32) in the mountains and Stefan (Küng, 28) on the flat", whose experience he used, he who does not say he is a leader "who bangs his fist on the table too much."

Missing a big victory on the Tour, which he could not aim for this year, focused 100% on the general classification.

"Marc (Madiot) told us that he wanted to see someone play at the top of the general classification again, he's the boss, so it's obviously harder to get a stage."

His fourth place overall allows him to look ahead with appetite, whether in one-day races - he dreams of winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège - or in the big laps.

He himself judges his room for improvement "enormous", especially in the exercise of the time trial - he finished 26th on Saturday, 3 min 10 sec from the winner - to go and tickle the very best.

Frenchman David Gaudu, during the time trial of the 20th stage of the Tour de France, between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour, July 23, 2022 Marco BERTORELLO AFP

"I think he amazed himself and I think he will revise his goals upwards for the future," says Madouas who is convinced of this: "We are going to have a great David Gaudu in the next editions. of the Tower."

© 2022 AFP