Thus we come to the quintessentially French team of Groupama-FDJ. The French insurance group and the national French lottery join forces to sponsor this team that is seen so often on those French roads. I do not really know what to make of this team—it is another head scratcher for me. I think part of the reason for this is that after all these years it is pretty clear this team’s security does not depend on results alone. So long as their stars are in the spotlight, all press is good coverage for them.
This is never more so true than with their biggest star, Thibaut Pinot. A Rollercoaster if ever there was one. At times he looks unstoppable, and just as everyone—especially the French—get behind him: he seems to get in his own way, producing a crash and burn so spectacular no one ever envies his position. Third at the Tour in 2014, since then his record at the Tour has actually been fairly dismal. But who could forget what flying form he was on in 2019 when he won the stage to the top of the mighty Tourmalet, it was sensational! But just a handful of days later, he was out of the race with a knee injury; and it will still take many years for us all to forget the sadness we felt watching him weeping his eyes out as he got into the car. He really thought he was going to win the Tour de France that year. And last year, in 2020, his challenge was subpar. After a crash on Stage 1, he supposedly needed three hours of treatment on his back each day to be fit to race, but by the eighth stage he was already out of contention. And he seemed to have lost his mojo for the rest of the race as well. Ah! What can we expect from him this season? What can we ever expect from this man? Surely, it is our lot in life to hope for the best for this man. Every year we shall be sucked-in and fooled by his progression, hoping against hope that this is the year he finally finishes off the race well. And then we shall be surprised and disheartened when he fails once more. We shall go back to the drawing board, knowing we are doomed to repeat the same emotional Rollercoaster next year. Yes, yes, Thibaut Pinot you are the Rollercoaster. But all shall climb aboard once more to join you for highest highs and lowest lows.
Now, the rider that had a much better season than Pinot was Arnaud Demare. Besides perhaps Primoz Roglic and Wout Van Aert (both of Jumbo-Visma) was there anyone hotter coming out of lockdown. Fourteen wins, fourteen wins after lockdown! An incredible tally! Milano-Torino, the French Championships, and four stages of the Giro. What a haul it was! His support crew at the Giro was impeccable this year, surely he and his men deserve a ride at the Tour this year, no? But even before it is time to think of the Grand Tours, what can he do in the Classics? He has taken some epic wins in Paris-Nice when the race is in the harsh and unforgiving cross-windy north of France. For a sprinter, his record at Paris-Roubaix is actually pretty good: twice top 20, once top ten. Should the race be relatively controlled and end with a reduced bunch sprint, surely he could be the victor. And what about possibly winning another Milan-Sanremo—this time without any accusations of getting towed up the Poggio by the team’s car? Even Gent-Wevelgem or Scheldprijs could be in Demare’s wheelhouse. Should he enter this season with the form he had last year, the world is his oyster. Surely, should he be on that top form, Groupama should have a new team No. 1. Perhaps Pinot can still be first in the hearts of all the fans, but in terms of leadership Demare should draw more water.
Surely Pinot and Demare are the pillars this team is built around. Most of the team file in as climbing domestiques for Pinot or lead-out men for Demare. But two other riders stand out, though they usually dutifully work for Pinot, they are proper talents and winners in their own rights. Stefan Kung, the Swissman, is one of the finest time-trialists in the world. He took the bronze medal in the Time Trial World Championships this year in Imola, surely he must have eyes on another medal in Tokyo this year. And then there is perhaps Pinot’s understudy or apprentice: David Gaudu. After knocking on the door for many years, this year at the Vuelta he took two stages. They were exciting, they were a fulfillment of what we have been waiting for. But surely or hopefully, they were only a building block for this coming season. What shall be his objectives? What shall he achieve this season?
As I said from the top, this team’s identity is clear. Their existence is not based off results, but press in their homeland. Surely, the team even plays up the idea that they are France’s team with their Blue, White, and Red jerseys appearing almost like the tricolor of France itself. Shall Demare rack up wins upon wins? Shall Gaudu continue to grow and improve, gaining more great victories? How shall Thibaut Pinot the Rollercoaster fair? It does not so much matter, so long as they are there. Could any of us really imagine a Tour without this iconic cycling team?
Cycling Odysseys 