2022 Criterium du Dauphine – Stage Three – Highlights

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The Critérium du Dauphiné really started on Tuesday for the contenders in the general classification, and David Gaudu did not miss his appointment. At the end of a relatively clear day, about twenty riders showed up in Chastreix-Sancy at the top of the final ascent, and the Breton climber knew how to perfectly navigate and assert his top speed in the last 100 meters to come and settle Wout van Aert, just that, on the line. The leader of the Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team thus achieves his second success of the season and signs his return after a delicate spring. At the end of this third stage, he is also second overall six seconds behind the same Van Aert, while Kevin Geniets finished the team’s beautiful day with a solid fifth place at the finish.

At the end of two stages reserved for punchers-sprinters, the third act offered this Tuesday a suitable ground for punchers-climbers with a final ascent of six kilometers in Chastreix-Sancy. So it was necessary to want to take advantage of it on the eve of a preponderant time trial for the general classification. With a big smile, David Gaudu did not ask himself such questions at first. “I hope I can test myself and have good legs,” he told reporters. You have to run from day to day. We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.” It is therefore with the firm intention of playing the leading roles in the final that the Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team started from Saint-Paulien, this time leaving the breakaway to others. Sebastian Schönberger (B&B Hotels-KTM), Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X) and Thomas Champion (Cofidis) then took the lead relatively quickly, before being joined an hour later by a tripleT B&B Hotels-KTM: Miguel Heidemann, Alexis Gougeard and Pierre Rolland. However, this group never got a considerable lead due to the sustained tempo printed by the team of the yellow jersey Alexis Vuillermoz. Thus, in the long rising stretch leading to the coast of Besse-en-Chandesse, the peloton maintained the pace, then even accelerated in a rugged transition to the foot of the final ascent of Chastreix-Sancy (6.2 km at 5.6%). “There has always been a good pace,” noted Frédéric Guesdon. The last 40-50 kilometers were not easy, it was a bit wear and tear, and we always stayed warm.”

In the lead, the survivors of the breakaway approached the final climb barely fifteen seconds ahead, and the tempo set by the Jumbo-Visma definitively condemned their adventure to just four kilometers from the finish. Well replaced by his teammates at the foot of the climb, David Gaudu remained vigilant alongside the other big favorites of the event. “We had spotted the end of the course,” assured Frédéric. We had seen that the whole climb was winding from behind, with the exception of the last two kilometers. We wanted to be well placed in the first part, without really being in front, but then David had to be able to be placed at both terminals. That’s what was done.” At that moment, the peloton was composed of only about forty riders, and a dozen additional men were ejected from the group before the summit following offensives that David Gaudu managed to contain. A small group packaging was presented, and Kevin Geniets managed to hang up the wheels and then get back in the lead in a rather flat last kilometer. “David was first a little overwhelmed, it was going pretty fast,” said Frédéric. He wasn’t in a great position, but he used Kevin well as a pilot fish.” At 300 meters from the term, the Breton found the wheel of the Luxembourger, and the sprint started a few hundred meters further. David Gaudu then repeated the thread of the story: “When they launched, I was a little locked up and a little far away, and I told myself that it was not going to do it. But I felt I had strength, so I put everything in. Wout was still there, in the lead, but I had seen him back up a bit on the climb. When I saw that I could come back to him, I thought about that. I thought maybe he was started, maybe I could go get him… I went back to the aspiration, and I was like, “I’m going to go eat it!” And that’s what I did! »

After sneaking between several riders, it was with much higher speed that David Gaudu climbed back to van Aert’s level. He then passed it on the line, while the Belgian rider was just beginning to celebrate his, he believed, success. “David arrived very quickly, and above all, he threw the bike at him,” pointed out Frédéric. “I had passed it before he even raised his arms,” David said. Without even waiting for the photo-finish, sure of his shot, the native of Landivisiau let burst his joy, screaming honesty. “When I cross the line, I explode, I am almost the happiest of men,” he said with a big smile. After all the trouble I experienced in the spring, it feels so good… I don’t have too many words, I’m moved because I was looking for a victory like this since the beginning of the year. I told myself that if I could win one on the Dauphiné, it would free me. The team was great today, so a big thank you to them. I am very happy. The doubts are behind: after the rain comes the good weather.” At the same time, the young climber gave himself his ninth career success, and it had a special flavor. “When you’re French, winning one of the three WorldTour races in France is something,” he said. These are races that I watched as a kid. To impose myself here is really important for me, especially in the face of such competition.” “All victories are a pleasure, but it is true that David had been waiting for this one for a while,” added Frédéric. Reconnecting with victory makes him happy, and it makes everyone happy. This group has been working a lot lately. They were on an internship all together. It’s never easy to win races, so when you do, you appreciate it even more.”

The Breton rider also brought the Groupama-FDJ cycling team its sixth success of the season, also placing second in the general classification, while Kevin Geniets also put in a real performance by taking fifth place of the day. “Kevin has worked well and he goes through these kinds of bumps well,” said Frédéric, not surprised. He was a little in trouble at 1500 meters but he took advantage of the descent to replace himself. He manages to make fifth, and I’m happy for him, because he’s also someone who works a lot for the team.” The work will probably not be lacking on the rest of the week, but on Wednesday, each rider will face himself during the 32-kilometer time trial between Montbrison and La Bâtie d’Urfé. “It’s a big piece,” warns Frédéric. This will be important for the general and for the future. David is going to do it all the way, and we know he’s made good progress.” “We worked on the time trial, and I can’t wait to see what happens,” concluded the interested party. Wout leaves two minutes behind me. Logically, if he doesn’t catch up with me, it should be a good time (smiles). We will first enjoy a little tonight, and then we will gradually immerse ourselves in the time.”

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