"I've always loved running" - David Gaudu finishes second in legendary trail running event ASICS SaintéLyon

This off-season, it seems as if many of cycling's biggest stars are swapping their bike shoes for running shoes. The latest of these, Groupama - FDJ leader, David Gaudu.

The Frenchman decided on Saturday evening to take on the legendary trail running event, ASICS SaintéLyon and creditably, finished in a very impressive second place. “I think trail running is the closest thing to cycling in terms of effort. It's a fight against yourself, like in a mountain pass. There are adversaries, of course, but above all, it's about pushing your limits, you only rely on yourself," Gaudu said to L'Équipe.

A 78km, two-man relay race that traverses over 2,000m of elevation gain, Gaudu took on the brutal challenge alongside his good friend and former French national trail running champion Alexandre Fine.

“It was a challenge between friends,” Gaudu explained. “It gets me off the bike, it's good for my head because I've always loved running, and it works the muscles a little. Thibaut Pinot always did cross-country skiing in winter, it's his passion. For me, it’s the trail!"

“These are my passions on the side," Gaudu concludes. "Thibaut has this thing too: his goats, his farm. I've been immersed in video games since I was a kid, I've been trail running for several years. These are moments that make us feel good and where we can get our heads off the bike. Because doing 'bike, eat, sleep' days can lead to burnout.”