I would like to tell you why we lost 4 riders during this year’s Tour de France on one day. Only one of us was sick, so why sacrifice three healthy teammates in the biggest race in the world?
First, let me tell how I joined FDJ.
My contract with FDJ came about because of my victory in 4 Jours de Dunkerque. It used to be a very big race for the team. Team Manager Marc Madiot is one of the most passionate cycling people I have ever seen. He watches every race in France. He knows everyone who wins or does a top 10 in French races.
This was 2015. Dunkerque was one of the toughest races with a lot of cobblestones. During the first stage, we actually passed over a cobbled section named after Madiot. I was going really well that week and won the race overall.
At the same time as winning the race, FDJ were looking to build a stronger team around Arnaud Démare. Two weeks after the victory, he called me to ask me if I wanted to be part of Arnaud’s team.
My role was two-fold: The Classics and The Sprints. I love the classics so I was immediately excited about that prospect. My role in the sprints changes depending on my form. If I am not that good, I will be pulling on the front early to bring the breakaway back. If I am feeling good, the team will save me for the last 3 kilometres.
The first part of this season was based around the classics while the second was built around the Tour de France.
Photo: ASO/Thomas Maheux
Going to the Tour de France with the national champion is an amazing feeling. Firstly, I must say, it’s always amazing having a Tour de France stage winner in your team. But having Arnaud Démare win a stage is simply special.
He is the best leader I’ve worked for in my entire career. Everyone asks me if I say that because I’d like a job with the team for a few more years haha. The thing is, he is young, he is 25 years old and is already a big champion and well-known but he always stays humble and respectful.
The way he interacts with the team, staff and fans is always respectful.
I think it’s because of his parents and the way they brought him up. Sometimes you’re on a bad day and Arnaud wins the race but you’ve done absolutely nothing to help him. He will never say a bad word or shout at you. He will make you feel part of the victory. It makes you want to give 120% for him the next day. That makes him the best leader I’ve worked for.
Now, back to stage 9 of this year’s Tour de France. Four of us were eliminated while we tried to get Arnaud – who was sick – to the finish line. The first thing I want to say is, we never got any instruction from the team to stay with him.
It was our decision as riders to stay with him. Everyone could make their own choice and we decided he is our leader and we will stay with him. This is a special gesture and you don’t see much of it in cycling anymore. [Click to tweet]
(Photo: ASO/A.Broadway)
We succeeded on stage 8 in getting him inside the time limit but we knew that stage 9 would be harder. We expected the breakaway to go early and thought Sky would give them a good gap then when the peloton stopped for a nature break, we would come back.
After the first sprint, we heard there were almost 30 riders in the breakaway and that’s when we understood today was going to be difficult. We kept on pushing but he had a very bad day and struggled on the climbs. On the downhill’s and flats we were pulling 100%, it was an incredible pace for the day but it wasn’t enough of course.
The team management appreciated it and congratulated us at the finish line. Congratulated is the wrong word but you could tell the team respected it. Arnaud felt very bad and kept apologising to us. I told him, forget about it, it’s history, it was our decision. We win together and we lose together. I have no regrets, If I had to do it again, I would choose the same. That is what a team is about.
Last modified: Jan 20, 2020
