“This is a second heavy blow, after I was told earlier that my employment at Groupama-FDJ will come to an end" - Arnaud Demare slams Marc Madiot after missing out on Tour de France selection

Groupama - FDJ boss Marc Madiot had some tough decisions to make in regard to the selection of their Tour de France lineup. Someone was always going to miss out and sadly for Arnaud Demare he was that man.

“This is a second heavy blow, after I was told earlier that my employment at Groupama-FDJ will come to an end," the French sprinter reveals in a frank and honest discussion with L'Équipe. "It was not literally said that way, but the message was clear. Madiot came to me and said: we can't keep you. That was it."

For Demare, missing out on his home Grand Tour for the second year in a row is a bitter pill to swallow. Especially because he feels like he's shown good legs. "I am angry and depressed as I worked really hard to be good for the Tour. I had to make certain sacrifices during the winter period," he explains. "I had known for some time that I would only get one teammate for the sprints. It wasn't a competition at all between Thibaut and me. A good collaboration with Pinot and also David Gaudu was certainly possible.”

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Madiot for his part, has attempted to ease the tension by explaining his reasoning. “I understand his disappointment. It was also a very difficult decision. I feel for the riders, but I have to think first of all about the team's interests," Madiot says. "It is a sporting choice and in the end I have to put together the best team. Riders have strengths, but also weaknesses."