When we reach him, Philippe Mauduit is driving towards Italy. The Tour is upon us and important days are approaching for the Groupama-FDJ sports manager. The team inserted Lenny Martinez at the last moment, despite everything that had been said about it. And the announcement of Covid which prevented Gaudu from participating in the national championship accentuates it the choice not to have a team that will revolve around just one man. This time, Madiot’s team’s Grande Boucle will follow other patterns.
Maybe it’s because of his Italian past as a runner, Mauduit has always been more of a Giro d’Italia man, also due to his personal taste. However, it is undeniable that for the squadron that had Pinot and which has not (so far) found a worthy successor in Gaudu, the race for the yellow jersey is a crucial step.
Why such a cheeky team this year, with the two strongest youngsters?
Gregoire was expected from January. Truth be told, almost all of them were expected from January, Lenny came into the game later. But for a couple of months, if you look carefully at his race program, we had anticipated a lot. He started the season with Catalunya, then a period of rest. He resumed in April in the Besançon, Grand Jura and Tour de Romandie races, then again a period of rest. So he left again at the end of May with the Mercantur (which he won, opening photo, ed.) and then the Tour of Switzerland. We wanted to keep him out because he’s still young, but we also knew he really wanted to be there. And looking at how he managed his season, we thought that having had the ideal preparation program, we will have nothing to lose. Us, much less him.
Lenny is only seven months younger than Gregoire: is this little time enough to make a difference in choices?
In all categories, Lenny always competed against kids who were almost a year older. Romain is much more physically mature, even in the way he approaches racing. That’s why we went a little more relaxed with Lenny.
The change of setting remains. No longer all for one…
In January we started saying that we don’t want a team 100 percent tied to its captain, but a combative team who races with instinct and the desire to win stages. Plus Gaudu had a Covid problem at the Dauphiné, like many others, and we all know that this is not easy to deal with. It depends on the viral load, there are some who no longer have symptoms after ten days and some who remain weak for two or three weeks. Looking at how he is recovering, we thought about taking him to the Tour anyway. She has had it for more than ten days, now she is training well. We were also unsure whether to say it or not, but since this prevented him from competing in the national championship, we thought we’d give an explanationbefore everyone started wondering why he hadn’t run it.
What do you think of a Tour with the first two very tough stages and the Galibier on the fourth day?
It’s a bit of a special tour. By the evening of the fourth stage, no one will have won it yet, I think, but someone will have already lost it. This for sure. There is also the stage with the dirt roads which will be very challenging, because the sectors are very long. It’s a somewhat particular design (he says after a pause of perplexity, ed.), but precisely for this reason one can think that there will be entertainment throughout the Tour. Those who have fared badly in the first week, in the second and in the third will go for win the stages. There will be a show and together there will be the fight for the yellow jersey.
What will your two young people do? Martinez has the dream of a polka-dot shirt to give to his grandfather…
With Lenny you never know. He is very feisty, he doesn’t cycle to go for a walk, but to win. To move forward and improve in everything. Obviously we’re not talking about the general classification, but in the first few days and even with these route plans, something could be invented. Obviously Gregoire also comes to have his first experience of the Tour and with the aim of aiming for some milestones.
Is all of France waiting for them for the yellow jersey?
People are always proud like this there are those who think and those who let their emotions speak. You know how the fans are, they are waiting for Bernard Hinault’s successor (the last French winner of the Tour in 1985, ed.) and they have no patience. But we have to be honest. With Pogacar, Vingegaard and Roglic these kids still have a lot to learn.
Can we ask a slightly malicious question?
Certain.
It is said that Lenny Martinez will change team: has he been brought in to have him at least in one Tour?
I don’t think his contract has been defined, also because the regulation says that there is no possibility of signing contracts before August 1st. Here in France the opposite usually happens. Many times teams that have not confirmed a rider do not let him participate in the Tour. If you look at the past, it has always been like this. We’re not in the same situation, it’s not about using Lenny for at least one Tour. Our goal is only sporting.
How are you finding your new role?
It’s not always easy. Since January there has been a lot of work to do, many program changes. Despite this, we have two more victories than last year. What I’m sorry about is that we’re dropping a bit in the WorldTour rankings and even if we never look at the points, it’s not nice. The goal at the end of the season is to find our place again and continue competing to win.
For you, who are half Italian, what effect does the Tour starting from Florence have?
I’m not a fan of the Tour, I prefer the Giro. To tell the whole truth, I have more passion for Italian culture than for French culture, although history in France is equally important. We also have some very good writers, painters and artists who fascinate me, but Italy has a particular flavor for me. I am very happy when I go there and I believe that living these days between Florence and all the cities we will pass through will be special. Cesenatico, the town of Pantani: this is very important to me. Now can I ask you a slightly naughty question?
Certain.
Would it have been possible to allocate the money spent to bring the Tour to Florence to create an Italian team?
And what do you want to answer him? Probably not, that doesn’t matter. It is public money, like the billions allocated for the Winter Olympicswhile for example there are still houses destroyed by the earthquake eight years ago that are waiting to be rebuilt. Let’s not ruin the party Philippe, see you in Florence…
