Surprise! Groupama-FDJ relies on more than just Gaudu and Grégoire in the Tour de France, Martinez debuts

Groupama-FDJ has a delightful surprise in their Tour de France lineup: Lenny Martinez is making his debut! The 20-year-old Frenchman was initially slated for a second consecutive Vuelta a España, but he will start on June 29 in Florence, alongside David Gaudu and Romain Grégoire, among others.

Martinez can rightfully be called the top performer at Groupama-FDJ this season. After a grand debut in the Vuelta last year, where he wore the red leader's jersey and won in the CIC - Mont Ventoux, he has rapidly added to his palmares this season. Martinez won the Classic Var, Trofeo Laigueglia, Classic Grand Besançon Doubs, Tour du Doubs and Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes. He also finished second in O Gran Camiño (behind Jonas Vingegaard), eighth in Strade Bianche, seventh in Catalonia and eighth in Romandie.

In the Tour of Switzerland, Martinez rode somewhat anonymously after a high-altitude training camp, but he seemed to grow in the race and finished with a sixth place in the final day's mountain time trial. In that respect, his selection for the Tour is not surprising, especially since team leader Gaudu has been struggling with his form and health all year. He even contracted COVID-19 after the Critérium du Dauphiné.

Grégoire, in turn, has also been performing well this year. Like Martinez, he debuted in the Vuelta last year and, like his contemporary (Grégoire is 21), he is now making his debut in the Tour. He comes into the race with a stage win in the Tour of the Basque Country and several impressive placements in the Dauphiné under his belt. Gaudu, Martinez and Grégoire will be supported in the Tour by strong names such as Valentin Madouas, Stefan Küng, Kevin Geniets, Quentin Pacher and Clément Russo.

Selection Groupama-FDJ Tour de France 2024

David Gaudu
Kevin Geniets
Romain Grégoire
Stefan Küng
Lenny Martinez
Valentin Madouas
Quentin Pacher
Clément Russo