With Julian Alaphilippe and Valentin Madouas in the breakaway of the day, we were hoping for a glorious day for the French during this fifth stage between Pau and Laruns (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). But the hopes of the day melted at the speed of a crack from Pogacar in front of an acceleration from Jonas Vingegaard. Small anthology of the inventory of the main French.
Gaudu: “An auspicious day”
It is a more than serene leader who presented himself at the microphone in front of the Groupama-FDJ bus. Ninth in the stage just behind Pogacar, David Gaudu thanked his entire team. Not worried about Jay Hindley, one of the contenders for third place, taking a good lead on him (1′56′’). “We were in two different configurations with Hindley, he says. He found himself quite early in the breakaway, it was going a little in all directions, he followed a wave and found himself in front. »
“We, the rise (of Marie-Blanque) was made between cadors”, continues Gaudu. The Finistérien thus prefers to remember that he has “tilted third in the group of favorites behind Vingegaard and Pogacar”. He then managed his effort in the image of his performances last summer (fourth overall on the Champs-Elysées). “I felt good all day, it’s a good omen, the Tour is still very, very long, he anticipates. It was only the first mountain stage, there was no summit finish yet. His teammate Valentin Madouas finished 14th, dropped on the final ramp.
David Gaudu on arrival this Tuesday in Laruns. Reuters/Stephane Mahé
Alaphilippe: “What mess did I get myself into? »
Double world champion Julian Alaphilippe also found himself in the good breakaway, even allowing himself a few kilometers as a scout with Wout van Aert. But on the final ascent, he finally broke down and got up. He finished 21st, in the same group as Thibaut Pinot, 1′55′ from Jai Hindley.
“At one point, I didn’t think it was a big day but rather: what mess did I get myself into? (smiles), he jokes. In fact, I’m quite happy with my stage. It was a good team situation with Rémi (Cavagna), Kasper (Asgreen) and me. I felt good. In the Marie-Blanque pass, when Pogacar and Vingegaard passed me, I was in pain. I didn’t even have enough energy to hold the wheels of the guys who were with me at the end. Winning would have been difficult. But I have no regrets. »
Bardet: “The road put me in my place”
The Auvergnat Romain Bardet hoped for better from this first stage in the Pyrenees. He also finished 1′57′ from the winner. In the general classification, he is 12th at 2′36′ from Hinley who will be a serious client for the podium. “Cycling is still just as hard,” admits the Team DSM rider. Everyone is in their place tonight. On such a tough climb, no one really hid. When it started strong, it opened a small break in front of me, I managed my ascent as best I could. »
“We are still a lot of runners with a similar level, not necessarily able to attack, he believes. When Vingegaard started in such steep percentages, while there was still 3 km to the summit… We had to manage ourselves too. I did, only to waste 20 seconds on the other main favorites. But running like that is not a huge pleasure. The road put me in my place. I will try to run differently, to be more opportunistic. For now, it’s a little hard. »
