13/04/2024

David Gaudu continues Groupama - FDJ's winning run with stylish victory at the Tour du Jura

David Gaudu has climbed to a leg-sapping victory at the Tour du Jura, continuing the run of Groupama - FDJ success at the French climbing one-day races after Lenny Martinez's victory on Friday.

With the up-and-down parcour inviting plenty of attacks, heading into the final 20km, Marco Frigo and Adne Holter held a lead of around 50 seconds of chasing duo Jesus Herrada and Alexis Vuillermoz, with the peloton at just over a minute down.

PREVIEW | Amstel Gold Race 2024 - Mathieu van der Poel the big favourite, but dozens of sharks hunt victory in Limburg

Despite the best efforts of Herrada and Vuillermoz, they were caught by the peloton before the start of the final climb, leaving only Frigo and Holter up ahead.

With Caja Rural - Seguros RGA taking control of the peloton as the climb towards the line began, the gap to the leaders was steadily dropping but with 5km to go, still 42 seconds separated the groups.

Perhaps sensing the peloton upping the pace behind, Frigo attacked at the front, entering the final 3.7km solo.

Sadly for Frigo, the counterattacks behind spelt the end of his hopes, with Felix Gall and Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda going clear with just over 2km to go. As their attack stalled though and more joined them, it was Guillaume Martin who launched the next attack, dragging David Gaudu and Cepeda clear with him.

Through the flamme rouge and on the steeper slopes, Gaudu made his move for victory. In the end, that proved to be the race-winning move, matching the success of his teammate, Lenny Martinez the day before to take a stylish victory.