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Arnaud Démare on Giro success: "I wouldn’t have imagined this at the start in Hungary"
CyclingMonday, 30 May 2022 at 21:00
Arnaud Démare had a rough start to the season and arrived at the Giro d'Italia with no wins under his belt and a lot of pressure. Throughout the three weeks though, the situation was turned upside down, as Groupama - FDJ thrived in the flat stages where it focused on the most.
“I wouldn’t have imagined this at the start in Hungary. I am very happy. We also finished with eight riders, that’s also a big satisfaction," Démare said after finishing his third Giro d'Italia. "It’s great to win the points classification again. To do that, you surely have to be good in the sprints, but you also have to handle the mountains, be patient and be strong mentally."
Having won the fifth stage into Messina, the team unblocked and Démare faced tough competition to bring in an extra two wins in Scalea and Cuneo. He enjoyed a long run in the lead of the points classification, and survived the Alps to finish off the Giro with the maglia ciclamino on his shoulders quite safely - just as he did back in 2020.
"It is always difficult to repeat a performance. We enjoy it in a different way than the first time. In 2020, everything was going well for us. This year, we came to the Giro after a disappointing start to the season for the group, and even a disappointing 2021 season," he said. However he assured that the hard work payed off: "We all worked hard before the Giro d’Italia, and the wheel of fortune turned."
"That’s the beauty of sport. We experience exceptional emotions. We always push ourselves to the limit, but when it goes well and that you are in front of everyone after a great work from your team, it creates moments that bind us for life," Démare pointed out. With the climbers focusing on the Tour de France, Groupama - FDJ brought a team almost completely focused on the 30-year old's ambitions, and the investment payed off as the team leaves with one of the most positive balances out of all the teams.
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