“Last time I outsprinted Wout van Aert, now Mads Pedersen” – David Gaudu sends Vuelta statement with first WorldTour win since 2022

David Gaudu (Groupama - FDJ) reminded the cycling world of his punch and panache with a statement victory on stage 3 of the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, sprinting past Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) on a sharp uphill finish in Ceres. It marks his first WorldTour win in over three years and signals a resurgence after what he himself described as a “very difficult” period.

“I’m absolutely delighted and incredibly proud,” Gaudu said post-stage. “The last time I won at this level, I outsprinted Wout van Aert in the Dauphiné. Now I’ve beaten Mads Pedersen. It feels like a long time coming.”

Gaudu wasn’t a pre-stage favourite. With Lidl-Trek keeping the breakaway under tight control all day, the expectation was for Pedersen to finish it off on the 2.5km uphill drag to the line. Even Gaudu admitted he doubted his chances in the morning. “I thought it was one for Mads. This morning on the bus, Stefan Küng said to me: ‘You’ve got a punch in the legs — you can win this.’ I didn’t really believe it, but the guys rode perfectly today and gave me the chance.”

As the race exploded on the final kicker, it became clear this was not a pure sprinter’s finish. The GC contenders were lurking, with Vingegaard in the mix and Red Bull–BORA and UAE fighting for position. But it was Gaudu who read it best. “I saw a small gap open up in the final corner and just went full gas. That wasn’t really planned — it was just instinct. When Pedersen launched, I had to follow. I gave everything I had.”

The Frenchman’s joy was palpable, and understandably so. Gaudu has spent much of the year in a frustrating holding pattern. Wins have been elusive, and doubts have mounted. “This year has been really hard. I wasn’t at the level for the Tour, and that hurts. It’s been so long since I’ve won at this level. To come back like this — it means everything.”

Whether this win marks a return to that trajectory remains to be seen, but for now, Gaudu has delivered one of the most compelling moments of the Vuelta so far. Out-sprinting both a classics powerhouse and a two-time Tour de France winner, the Frenchman reminded everyone of the rider he can be — when the legs are right and the timing perfect.

“This is the best possible start to the Vuelta,” he concluded, smiling through the emotion. “We’ll see what happens next, but today — I’m just going to enjoy this.”