Joy and smiles on the faces of the Groupama FDJ riders when it comes time to present the team before the first winter cycling races.
Marc Madiot, he does not smile.
Because he never smiles, except perhaps when Thibaut Pinot puts a face in the peloton at the top of the Tourmalet.
The manager of the French team is not however unhappy: the year 2021 has been disappointing, yes, and the carpet of positive notes such as the success of Démare on Paris-Tours or the final Italian campaign of Gaudu are not enough. to cover dusty chess.
We are pleased to already announce five of our riders lined up for the Tour de France 2022. pic.twitter.com/Z6bNWknm6y
- Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team (@GroupamaFDJ) January 11, 2022
However, 2021 has resulted in an offseason worthy of the name, far from the micro-break of 2020 following the delay in the schedule caused by the initial act of the pandemic.
And that is enough for Madiot's happiness.
“We all planned on 2022, we made a real cut in recovery in November.
For the first time in two years we were able to meet, we were able to meet again.
"
Three potential leaders for the Tour
As a result, everyone looks happy and ready to wash away the affront. Even Thibaut Pinot, who until now we hardly knew if he would one day recover from his physical galleys. “We are on a happy and smiling Thibaut, David Gaudu will confirm to us a few hours later. He went to work on his side in Gran Canaria. He looks smiling, he doesn't gripe too much, it's encouraging for the future. The rest is the season of "sacred union", to use Madiot's somewhat grandiloquent expression. Understand, without a predefined leader for the Tour but with a great team. Because Groupama-FDJ has not won on the Tour since 2019 and it must honor the sponsors. And probably also a little by wanting to piss off the big bertha of the peloton like Ajax Amsterdam in football, "a model that inspires me",explains Madiot.
Thibaut Pinot, David Gaudu and the current hype, Michael Storer, will therefore be on the tour.
All three being cited as potential leaders on the big loop.
Collateral victim of this high-mountain commando, Arnaud Démare was invited to play who goes fastest with the Giro sprinters.
Small staff review.
Thibaut Pinot, then maybe ...
His year 2021
: The worst of all, by his own admission.
A long Stations of the Cross and a ray of light at the very end of the season.
Like the team.
Its program
in 2022
:
Resumption on the Tour du Haut-Var, Tirreno, Tour du Jura, Tour des Alpes, Romandie, Tour de Suisse and Tour de France.
"A program that I did very regularly before 2018. I am going back to my basics", justifies Pinot.
The state of mind:
“The objective is simple, to regain races, to regain my level after a difficult year, to win as soon as I have the opportunity from February to October.
[…] I attack with great desire.
I was able to do the workouts I wanted.
The sensations returned this week.
I needed to find some sun and warmth, I will soon be leaving for Tenerife.
I hope to be operational by February.
"
David Gaudu, a status to keep:
His year 2021:
The best of all, by his own admission.
The highlight was his romantic getaway with Primoz Roglic in the beautiful landscapes of the Basque Country and a top 20 in the UCI ranking.
Its program at the start of 2022:
Tour d'Algarve, Paris-Nice, Tour of the Basque Country
The state of mind:
“Being a leader necessarily means taking a step forward and it's a pressure that I like to feel.
I feel more confident.
This year, it's the season that will decide who will be the leader.
I would love to be the leader on the Tour but we are not immune to anything.
We will try to assert our collective strength in the mountains.
Marc mentioned the podium, we no longer have the right to hide too much.
"
Arnaud Démare, a step back
His year 2021:
Nine victories including one on Paris-Tour that Madiot asks to highlight.
Eight others less flamboyant and a lot of absences from the major races.
His program at the start of 2022:
Tour UAE, Tirreno, Milan San Remo
The state of mind:
2021 and the profile of the 2022 Tour mean that he has missed the Grande Boucle.
“It's a disappointment for me.
Just because I didn't do it last year doesn't mean I'm not able to do it this year.
Marc Madiot expected no less from him.
“I'm very happy that he's disappointed not to be around.
That's excellent news.
I reassure him, he will come back to it.
On the Giro there will be opportunities in the sprints.
He will have the opportunity to win great tricks, stages on the grand tour, Milan - San Remo, the French championships.
On the world championship in Australia, the proposed route could also be interesting for Démare.
"
Sport
Thibaut Pinot "always wants to give emotions" despite the nostalgia and the little blows of depression
Sport
Cycling
Tour de France
Fdj
Thibaut Pinot
Cycling
0 comment
0 share
Share on Messenger
Share on Facebook
Share on twitter
Share on Flipboard
Share on Pinterest
Share on Linkedin
Send by Mail
To safeguard
A fault ?
To print