The Groupama-FDJ team scores a double. 24 hours after Lenny Martinez’s success at the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs, David Gaudu raises his arms after two years without a victory. First left behind on the last climb, he came back on Felix Gall (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale), then Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) before crucifying his opponents with an attack under the red flame. He succeeds Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B & B Hotels), winner last year. The French Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) and Guillaume Martin complete the podium.
The serious things started on the slopes of the Côte de Thésy (3.6 km at 9.1%) 35 km from the finish line. At the head of the race, the Italian Marco Frigo (Israel-Premier Tech) caught the morning breakaway before leaving alone, letting go of Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies). Behind, the peloton lost units under the leadership of Kenny Elissonde (Cofidis) putting Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) in the red. The 20-year-old climber appeared to be struggling in last place in the group after his victory on Friday.
However, the positions changed just before the summit with an attack from Jesús Herrada (Cofidis) in the peloton while the Norwegian Adne Holter (Uno-X Mobility) joined Marco Frigo at the front. The lead of the two leading men was insufficient at the foot of Mont Poupet to beat the favorites which were explained 3 km from the finish line.
Victory after hardship
In form today, David Gaudu was the first to attack with Felix Gall in his wheel. Sitting on his saddle, the Austrian thought he was leaving alone after his counter-attack, while the two escapees were overtaken by the favorites. But the successive returns of Jefferson Cepeda (Caja Rural), Guillaume Martin and David Gaudu put a blow to the morale of the leader of Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale who suffered the blow.
After an acceleration from Martin, at 1.5 km, a group of three formed at the front with Gaudu and Cepeda. The trio broke up with the red flame on a first banderille placed by the climber from Groupama-FDJ. His insistence put an end to the hopes of his companions. David Gaudu was the first to appear at the summit of Mont Poupet for a first bouquet in 2024.
“It’s been a year since I’ve had a lot of problems,” explained the winner of the day on the L’Équipe channel after the finish. The wheel seems to be turning for me and for the team. » After his retirement from the Tour du Pays Basque in April, the 27-year-old rider is relaunching as the Tour de France approaches next July.
