"Riders remain human who can have poor performances" - Groupama - FDJ don't put pressure over David Gaudu's modest Dauphiné

Sunday, 11 June 2023 at 13:15

David Gaudu has finished fourth last year at the Tour de France, and after a second place between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard at Paris-Nice expectations are high ahead of his return to the Grand Boucle. However, Groupama - FDJ look to prevent pressure from taking over the team as the Frenchman shows modest form at the Criterium du Dauphiné.

"It's great what Lenny is doing, he confirms all the hopes we had in him. He had a great stage," Groupama - FDJ DS Philippe Mauduit said after yesterday's stage. "It's logical given the last few days. There was no miracle and there won't be any tomorrow (Sunday) either, especially on this type of stage. David is in his place of the moment."

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The 26-year old has finished outside of the Top20 in the key stages so far of the French race, he hasn't been able to keep up with the best when the pace has gone up. He enters the final stage of the race in 22nd place in the GC. The mountainous Tour has a complicated start in Bilbao where gaps can right away be created, and at the time being there are only three weeks left for work to be put ahead of the race.

"Like any competitor, he doesn't want to end up there, but that's part of the game. You have to go through it and learn from this situation. David is someone who has always had ups and downs, and who has shown that he can manage the lows to bounce back," Mauduit concludes. "Again, it's part of the sport of the high level. The riders remain human who can have poor performances, even if we try to ensure that 'they have as little as possible,"