David Gaudu reflects on season of ups and downs: "There are many questions we need to ask ourselves"

Since his impressive fourth place in the general classification of the Tour de France in 2022, expectations around David Gaudu have been high. Especially as a Frenchman in a French team, Groupama-FDJ. After a somewhat disappointing ninth place in the general classification in 2023, 2024 was supposed to be the year in which we would see the Frenchman Gaudu shine again in the three-week race in France. In an interview with Cyclism'Actu, he looks back on his 2024 season, "I had 87 race days this year, my busiest season so far."

Disappointing start to the season

During the spring, impressive results against WorldTour competitors were lacking. Gaudu did manage to get his first victory in almost two years at the Tour du Jura, but at the WorldTour level, he did not seem to be the rider he was in 2022. In the Critérium du Dauphiné, Gaudu only finished fifteenth in the general classification. Since the Tour de France was his main goal, this was not immediately disastrous.

Unfortunately, a week before the Tour, he suffered a major setback, as he got COVID. As a result, he had to skip the French championship and could forget about a place in the top ten of the general classification of the Tour. "It was a year with a lot of ups and downs, especially at the beginning of the season. Still, I managed to get a win during that period. But after that, it became difficult, especially the combination of the Dauphiné and the Tour de France, especially after catching COVID just before the Tour," Gaudu says.

David Gaudu did not finish in the top 10 in any stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné

David Gaudu shifted focus from Tour to Vuelta

Since he could not ride the Tour de France in optimal form, he decided to fully focus on the Vuelta a España and the larger races in the fall, and not without success. "After the Tour, I was extremely motivated. Normally, I really live for the Tour de France – I dream, sleep and ride for it – but this year that also applied to the Vuelta. I achieved a great result in Spain, then also won in Luxembourg and ended the season well in the Tour of Lombardy. It felt like I found myself again in these last months." In Spain, he achieved sixth place in the GC. In the Tour de Luxembourg, he won the final stage and finished on the podium, behind Antonio Tiberi and Mathieu van der Poel.

Gaudu stronger than ever heading into 2025

It's safe to say that the 2024 season was not always easy for the Frenchman, but it is precisely through these setbacks that he has grown, which promises a lot for next season. "The team needs me at my very best. I have gone through difficult moments, but that is part of a career. The fact that I recovered from this at the end of the season has made me stronger, not only as a rider but also as a person. I am happy, both in my life and on the bike. I enjoy racing and challenging myself. See you in 2025," he concludes.

Below you can watch the full interview with David Gaudu, in French with English subtitles.