One of the most notable absences at the Giro Next Gen is that ofContinental Team Groupama-Fdj. Two years ago they played it and almost every day they “wrote” the race. And last year they showed off well again. But the boys led by Jerome Gannat certainly didn’t give up.
Already five victories so far, all by weight. And then several placings in important races, even in Africa with the pros where there was a good portion of European cycling. Solidity is not lacking in Gannat’s groups, which in recent years has launched the greatest number of pros by far. Last year there was a great generational change.
Jerome, another year of renewal for your young team, how is it going?
This season we have only had 3 additions, three recruits from the junior category: Maxime Decomble, Titouan Fontaine and the young German runner, European mountain champion Max Bock. After the nine recruits of 2023 and the three of this year we have an average age of 18.9 years. There is only one third year boy, Brieuc Rolland, a climber who confirmed himself this season with a victory at La Course de La Paix.
Compliments!
Our early season program was different to other seasons with participation in the Tour of Rwanda and all the continental team riders riding one or more races with the WorldTour team between February and March. Thibaud Gruel, who was with us, he joined the first team in mid-April and his first race was the Tour de Romandie. The team has matured after a season of experience and is now more efficient than in 2023. Gruel won a stage of the Circuit des Ardennes, Noah Hobbs two stages at the Alpes Isère Tour, Max Decomble he became French time trial champion, Lewis Bower a stop at the Ronde de l’Oise e Brieuc Rolland he won a stage and the overall at the Course de la Paix. We are currently in 25th place in the UCI Europe Tour. This year the kids are more involved in the race and the team influences the race!
Just like the old days! You’ve already more or less named them, but who is standing out?
Brieuc is always consistent and is our leader in mountain races and in the overall rankings. He would also be our leader for the Giro Next Gen. He achieved an important milestone this season. Noah Hobbs finally won a race: he is our sprinter and for me it was really a goal for him to win. He continues to progress and will be a sprinter of the future.
Others?
Joshua Golliker hasn’t reached his maximum performance yet, but the races he likes are coming, I’m thinking for example of the Giro della Valle d’Aosta. Lewis Bower won his first race with us and in Europe and this gives him confidence. Overall, all of the 2023 guys have progressed and our 3 young recruits are discovering the elite level and maturing a little each time.
Jerome, you mentioned the Giro Next Gen: you’re not there, why? what happened? Have you applied?
Yes, certainly, we asked to participate, because the Giro Next Gen is the best race for under 23s and this was in our objectives this season. As mentioned, we had Rolland for the overall and Noah Hobbs for the sprints. Unlike previous years where we were necessarily invited because we were the third continental team on the UCI Europe Tour, for 2024 we were waiting for an invitation from RCS. In mid-April we found out that we had not been selected. It was very hard for us, because our entire calendar was focused on the Giro. But we accepted the decision.
Woh…
It is not easy for the organizer, with the many requests, to put together an international group. Many teams ask to participate, the choice is difficult, everyone wants to be present. But I think we deserved ours thanks to our past and our racing results in 2022.
Has the organization made an official communication to you regarding this exclusion?
I don’t know exactly how we were informed. The organization is often in contact with the sports directors of the WT teams in the different races and I know that expressed a desire to “rotate” teams.
Jerome, how did you redesign the program without Giro Next?
Our initial program was based on participation in the Giro Next Gen. In particular, we were planning to do a mountain retreat in the Aosta Valley at least in May to adequately prepare for the Giro. It was a seasonal goal to arrive with a team 100 percent ready. In April Rolland’s schedule was significantly reduced. The late announcement did not allow us to find a replacement stage race, so we inserted the GP Gippingen Aargau (class .1) into our calendar and sent our riders with their respective national teams for the Nations’ Cup. This allowed to Rolland to win the Peace Race. Two riders, including Brieuc, and Max Decomble will do the Tour of Slovenia with the WorldTour team.
Will we see you and your boys again at the Giro della Valle d’Aosta?
Yes of course! Valle d’Aosta has always been a race where the team shone with Thompson, Martinez, Germani, Golliker… A preparatory training camp with all the team’s riders is planned for the beginning of July in Valle d’Aosta. We want to do a reconnaissance of all the stages. This will be the recovery race after the national championships and an important goal for our climbers: Rolland and Bock. While Golliker will focus more on the stages.
And instead Jerome, what can you tell us about your “old boys”: Germani, Martinez, Grégoire, Paleni, Thompson… who did you expect more from and who less?
I rarely see them. I met them at the presentation of our team on the eve of the Besancon Classic, which Lenny also won. This appointment allowed me to see them again and have them return to our Performance Center in Besancon for a day. They all have great memories of their time with us and the atmosphere of the 2022 team. We formed a great group that season. In 2024, they have all clearly made progress. Laurence Pithie is now a successful classics rider. He was impressive and will be a leader in this type of racing in the future. I was with him at Ghent and the Tour of Flanders as the team’s second sporting director.
Pithie has indeed taken a big step…
And then Lenny Martinez he is confirming his qualities as a climber and will become one of the best in the world. I think he has gained confidence and security. Romain Gregoire continues his progress and wins in the WorldTour, I see him well at Liège Bastogne Liège. Enzo Paleni he had a great Giro, he too has matured physically and is very effective in the role of domestique. Reuben Thompson it is always present in mountain races. She is often at Lenny’s side, but did not repeat the 2022 performance. Sam Watson confirms his skill in prologues and endings that “pull”.
And then there is Lorenzo Germani…
Of course! Lorenzo one of my favourites. He impressed me this season. He is always constant and active in the race. Always at the service of the team: he forms a good couple with Gregoire.
And if Jerome Gannat could give them one piece of advice, what would it be?
An advice? Always continue in this direction and enjoy doing what you do, because you do it well.
