David Gaudu reassured himself on the Tour de Romandie. Deprived of competition since the first stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, after having chained the falls (read here), the leader of Groupama-FDJ has not yet found the top of the rankings, but he was able to regain pleasure in Switzerland. Classified 30th in the general classification, he knows that he will not arrive next week, in Albania, from where the Tour of Italy will go to the best of its form. Which does not prevent him from being “happy” to have found the competition, as he explained to Directiveafter the final time of the Romandie Tour.
Directvelo: What assessment do you draw from this Romandie Tour?
David Gaudu: At first, the sensations were not good. It was quite complicated. I was every time, I think, on the verge of farting during the first three days, but I hung on. On the mountain stage, I found pleasure, just mounting passes and not being in difficulty in all climbs. It was not won in advance. I felt that I was still progressing every day. I did not do the final time thoroughly. We are already with the aim of recovering for the Giro. I tried to apply myself on the position, to make a correct climb and to finish a little quieter.
How did you live, on Saturday, the final climb to Thyon 2000?
It was an hour of effort. For the moment, I can’t take the big jolts. As soon as there are little accelerator, this is where it is the hardest for me, because it is something that I do not necessarily have time to work, but it should come as the Tour of Italy. Now the dice are thrown. The Giro is special this year. I am fortunate to be able to have a day of rest after three days, and at the beginning, there is only one mountain stage and another rather technical on the paths, in Siena. The first week, it will be necessary to limit the breakage as much as possible and be present from the second.
“You have to move forward”
The Tour de Romandie was also an opportunity to take bearings with several teammates who will also be at the Giro …
We had already taken it last year on the Vuelta with Rémy (Rochas) and Lorenzo (Germani). This week, we were able to work with Enzo (Paleni), who is passing, and with Clément (Davy), who will be there for the flat stages. Anyway, we’re going to work as a team. Even if it does not work for the general, the team is also focused to get stage victories. It was already the case on the Vuelta last year, where I came for the general but everyone was in the vagueness. You have to leave with the same desire.
Did you find your morale?
I am happy. I was able to put a bib, finish a WorldTour test without falling and also have fun on a mountain stage. Four weeks ago, I was on the home trainer. Seven weeks ago, they fell asleep on a bed before taking my hand. We don’t have the easiest job in the world. Everything is not all the time beautiful, all pink. I was at the top in February then, I was really very, very low. We have a good team, a good atmosphere. Bike is like life, like work, you have to move forward.
