David Gaudu maintains the top-5 after the queen stage of the Vuelta a Espana despite "not having a good day"

One of the riders who had the hardest time in the queen stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2024 was David Gaudu. At least, so says the Groupama - FDJ rider, because what was seen was a great level of the Frenchman to maintain 5th position in the general classification before the final time trial in Madrid.

Speaking after the stage to Cyclism'Actu, Gaudu admitted he had one of his worst days in the mountains at the Vuelta, but was aware that he had to come out of Picón Blanco holding the top five with time trial specialist Mattias Skjelmose threatening to snatch the position in the individual time trial which rounds out the Vuelta a Espana.

"We had to give everything," began David Gaudu, who will almost certainly improve the 8th position he recorded in the final general classification of his previous and only participation in the Spanish Grand Tour four years ago. "I wasn't having my best day," added the Frenchman with surprise for the fans, because he finished the stage in 7th position after having attacked himself multiple times in the later parts of the final climb.

Overall classification of the Vuelta a Espana 2024 after stage 20: