David Gaudu skips Il Lombardia and 2022 season following fatigue - "It is now time for a short rest"

With stage wins at the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Volta ao Algarve, and a fourth place at the Tour de France, David Gaudu has had a net positive in the 2022 season. That was concluded with immediate effect as the Frenchman decides to not be part of Il Lombardia.

“I feel that I am not able to defend my chances optimally. I have therefore decided, after consultation with the team management, to end the season," Gaudu said in a press release. “It was a year with highs and lows, but I mainly think back to my fourth place in the last Tour de France. It is now time for a short rest, and then work towards the new season.”

The Groupama - FDJ was to be one of the main contenders if he had found his best form, but that was not the case as he finished the Giro dell'Emilia in 37th place and abandoned both Coppa Bernocchi and Tre Valli Varesine. With fatigue hindering him, the decision was made for him to skip the final monument of the season, where Rudy Molard and Michael Storer are expected to lead.

Gaudu finished the GP de Montréal in fifth place last month, showing off his good form before the World Championships, but the transition period into Lombardia saw the 25-year old lose the form he had taken advantage of, and now he will look onto the 2023 season.