David Gaudu and Arnaud Démare will share the status of leader of the Groupama-FDJ team for the 2021 season. -

SIPA / Montage 20 Minutes

  • Paris-Nice, the first major stage race of the season, starts on Sunday.

  • The Groupama-FDJ will be led this year by the duo David Gaudu-Arnaud Démare, who will take over from Thibaut Pinot.

  • It is in this running-in configuration that Marc Madiot's team will embark on the next Tour de France.

Change of course for Groupama-FDJ.

After two seasons prepared with little onions for Thibaut Pinot, the French formation will proceed differently this year.

A natural choice as much as necessary.

The Franc-Comtois “did it again” during the last Tour, as he himself said in an interview with

L'Equipe

last month, and no longer wanted a team built just for him.

He will therefore go and fix his back and his morale far from the Grande Boucle, leaving the field open to David Gaudu and Arnaud Démare, who were impatiently pawing behind.

"The respective routes of the Giro and the Tour de France, the division of the season, the situation of each other, the level of performance, all that has led us to this evolution, explained the boss Marc Madiot during the presentation of the team in January.

We want to try to change the team's philosophy a bit.

There is not only the Tour de France in life even if it is the most race in the world.

“So even if our little hearts will not beat quite the same on June 26th during the big start in Brest, go for a Démare-Gaudu team at the bridgehead.

A configuration inaugurated from Sunday in Paris-Nice.

"I was often put behind Thibaut"

The first, among the very best French sprinters for years - he had notably brought to France his first monument for 21 years by winning Milan-San Remo in 2016 - was the big loser of all-for-Thibaut.

But his exceptional last season, where he raised his arms 14 times in the space of three months (with a title of champion of France and four stages of the Tour of Italy), pushed his leaders to make him again. the place.

“It feels good,” he admits.

I was often put behind Thibaut.

I am happy to have this recognition.

A legitimate feeling, even if Madiot wants to add nuance.

“There was an image shift compared to the outside world, Arnaud has always had a decisive role within the team, he corrects.

It's a little harder for a sprinter to represent the face of the team than when you're racing for the general classification and shining, like Pinot did.

"

Arnaud Démare with the Giro d'Italia best sprinter jersey on his back.

- Gian Mattia D'Alberto / AP / SIPA

The second, a great hope of French cycling in stage races, twice stage winner in the last Tour of Spain, is now old (24 years) to fly out of the nest, after having learned the trade in the Pinot wheel.

"He is a top runner, still in the process of progress," said Thomas Voeckler, consultant for France TV, who is starting his broadcast season with Paris-Nice.

Being alongside Thibaut in recent years in crucial moments on the bike but also outside, in the management of pressure, requirements, the environment, it will undoubtedly save him time.

"

The one who is also the coach of the France team sees favorably this two-headed strategy put in place by the FDJ.

“It's very consistent on their part, because it's really the year to do it.

It's easier to put Gaudu as a leader without having a whole team at his service.

And then that wouldn't have helped him, he observes.

It's paradoxical but when you're your age, with your talent and potential, it's easier to get to the mountain safely than when you're a clear favorite, with a lot of pressure on your shoulders.

"

"Unite the group for the Tour"

We will still have to see how it all fits together in the race.

Démare is a sprinter who needs a train in front of him to take him.

But you also need people to accompany Gaudu in the mountains.

In a team of eight like on the Tour, places are going to be expensive.

If Démare leaves with a head start (four team members for him, two for Gaudu for example), the configuration will perhaps change with the results of the first part of the season.

For the moment, the apprentice leader remains in his place.

“We'll see where it takes us,” he said.

On the flat stages, I will try to cling to Arnaud's group, to take advantage of their know-how, and after in the mountains it will be pedaling.

“In Paris-Nice, in a group of seven, only Bruno Armirail, who had perfectly supported him on the last Vuelta, has the profile to stay with him in the passes.

Démare will tackle limousine sprints, with Guarnieri, Konovalovas, Scotson and Sinkeldam at his service.

David Gaudu in his second stage victory at the Vuelta in October.

- Kiko Huesca / EFE / SIPA

With their mixed profile, both throwers and rollers, these four will be tasked with feeling the race, where the danger may come from, and making sure that no one gets lost along the way.

"We will be there to unite the group for the Tour," said Gaudu.

Hoping that one unlocks his counter during the first two flat stages, and that the other is in a fight for the general, before dreaming of a green jersey and top 10 on the Grande Boucle.

"You shouldn't jump to conclusions if it doesn't work," Voeckler warns.

In any case, Paris-Nice is a race that is always eagerly awaited because it is a summary of everything that awaits the riders next.

It is not the Dauphiné but those who dominate it are rarely on the streets in July.

"

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