Down but not out, David Gaudu recovering from fractures after Tirreno-Adriatico crash: "It's a lot of frustration, disappointment"

David Gaudu's season started on a high, showing strong early form with a victory and a podium finish at the Tour of Oman. It looked like he was building momentum, continuing the resurgence he showed in the Vuelta a Espana last year, however, his progress was abruptly halted at Tirreno-Adriatico, where he crashed and fractured his thumb, requiring surgery.

The Groupama - FDJ leader expressed his frustration on social media, reflecting on the rollercoaster of emotions he has experienced in just a few short weeks.

"Nothing is written in advance. The last time I posted a message here, it was a blast! I had just won a stage at the Tour of Oman and finished 3rd in the General Classification. The season started perfectly, and I wanted to step up because my legs were there. Since then, I've had a series of struggles. Four falls in about twenty days.

“The last one at the beginning of the week at Tirreno-Adriatico = Abandon. Several tests and the verdict: Fracture of the base of the first metacarpal, synonymous with surgery. A real setback in my season. On this first block, I did a lot of training and very few days of racing in the end. It's a lot of frustration, disappointment.

“I'm going to take a break, rest, heal this injury, and bounce back. That's high-level sport with its ups and downs."

The setback is particularly frustrating given how well Gaudu had started 2025, aiming to put a difficult 2023 campaign behind him. With his return to form at the Vuelta last year, hopes were high that this season would see him back among the top contenders. However, his series of crashes in recent weeks has disrupted his rhythm, limiting his race days and delaying his preparation.

Despite this latest blow, his long-term goals remain unchanged. The Giro d’Italia in May is still firmly on his calendar, and with time to recover and rebuild his form, he will be looking to make a strong return on one of cycling’s biggest stages.