Guillaume Martin Declassé, the cyclist learns the decision by chance: “I am disgusted”

“I was not aware of nothing. I was taught my downgrading the day after the race. It is a funny mishap known by Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet. The Orne cyclist thought he had validated his eighth place in the general classification of the Tour of the Basque Country on the road, but a decision of the commissioners made him go back to the twelfth row of the event. How is it possible? Explanations.

A fall in the final of the last step

During the last stage, Saturday April 12, 2025, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet rolls in a group of counter towards the finish, before to find yourself on the ground. By following the regulation, if a fall comes in the last three kilometers, the runner is delivered at the same time that the group to which it belonged.

“I immediately mean it to the commissioner present with me. He tells me it’s good, so I was quite serene in relation to the regulations. »»

He crossed the line in a third group. The classification is made the same evening, with a Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet positioned at the same time as his companions of Fugue and Eighth of the Basque race.

Turnaround after the race

Turnaround The next day with a new fall, in the standings this time. The cyclist is demoted to the twelfth position.

“I didn’t expect it. I imagine that a team brought a complaint… I am told that the regulations changed on January 1, 2025 and that the last three kilometers rule only works if it is a collective fall. It’s quite strange, because that would mean that I had to drop someone else with me to be at the same time, ”smiles the interested party.

A tense smile because Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet keeps A bitter taste in the mouth.

“I have the impression that it is at the head of the customer, it should not be the last who speaks that is right. It’s quite scandalous. »»

“I was not aware of anything. There was a trench debate, without the two debaters. I’m a little disgusted. A decision that arrives in a particular context, after several disputed measures during the week.

Above all, the Ornais climber keeps in mind the memory of His disqualification in Italyat the end of the 2023 season. “Normally the regulations should not have different interpretations …”

A high level week for Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet

Beyond this incident, the runner wishes to hold back his physical performance. “I don’t want to lose my energy, especially since it would be useless. I want to move on. Eighth or twelfth … there is just fewer UCI points. »

Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet produced a full week. “I was not well in Paris-Camembert with respiratory problems and I managed to find good sensations,” says the sportsman. “It was pleasant to play the leading roles in World Tour. There was no Pogacar or Evenepoel, but A large accessible level. »

The cyclist found land at his convenience with “a hard journey thanks to a chain of steep climbs. A good preparation for the Ardennes. »»

Before that, the Groupama-FDJ runner will face three races in the Jura on April 18 and 20 with the desire to win. “I am confident, but I must not ignite too much. The goal is to Play victory over the three days. »»

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