Rudy Molard targeting French National Championship victory in 2023 - "Wearing the tricolour jersey would be a dream for me"
Cycling
Groupama-FDJ's Rudy Molard is looking to build on a successful 2022, highlighted by his capturing of the Red Jersey on stage 5 of the Vuelta a Espana for the 2nd time in his career, with his main goal being to win the French National Championships.
The 33-year-old has never before donned the famous tricolour jersey, coming closest in 2021 when Molard finished 2nd in the national road race. "I absolutely want to arrive in good shape on the championship of France," Molard tells Le Patriote. "Wearing the blue-white-red jersey would be a dream for me and I never managed to impose myself on this race. I really hope to do better than 2nd."
With David Gaudu and Thibaut Pinot the two undisputed GC leaders for Groupama-FDJ, Molard is more often than not used as a trusty lieutenant in Grand Tours, his best finish being 14th at the 2018 Vuelta a Espana. His expected three-week stage race this year will be the Giro d'Italia, however as Molard admits himself, nothing is certain as of yet.
"We still haven't decided on my calendar with the team but I have several objectives in mind," the Frenchman explains. "First of all, I would like to position myself for the Giro in April. It's a race that I like and which doesn't take too long into the season because it happens quickly. I'm starting to get used to the Grand Tours and I would really like to participate."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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