At the halfway point of the Giro d’Italia Next Gen, Groupama-FDJ United’s development squad has not yet been able to perform as it had hoped. Unsuccessful in the various sprint finishes, the team also suffered the loss of Victor Loulergue, who crashed twice before abandoning during Stage 4 on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rémi Daumas remains in contention for the general classification heading into the second half of the race.
The 49th edition of the Giro d’Italia Next Gen got underway last Sunday in Calabria with a 170-kilometre opening stage. The race immediately produced a surprise outcome, as the sole survivor of the day’s breakaway managed to hold off the peloton by just a few metres after having built an advantage of up to eight minutes. “With only four riders in the break and considering the profile of the final, we didn’t think the break would make it” explained Jérôme Gannat. “We were aiming for the breakaway if it was larger. In the end, because it was the opening stage and the fugitives weren’t a threat for the overall, the GC teams didn’t really chase. Very few teams were interested in a sprint either, so it took a long time for the peloton to get organized. The climbs in the final eventually slowed the leader down, but he still managed to finish one second ahead.” Behind him, a bunch sprint decided the remaining placings, with Eliott Boulet crossing the line in 22nd position. “He got boxed in with one kilometer to go when the road narrowed and couldn’t get out,” continued Jérôme. “Victor then crashed at full speed during the sprint while he was around the top ten. It was quite a heavy impact, although he was able to get back up and finish.”
“A disappointment for Victor” – Jérôme Gannat
The 21-year-old was therefore back in action on Monday for Stage 2 towards Crotone, where a sprint finish was expected. However, “La Conti” remained attentive and proactive. “We wanted to be represented in the breakaway, hoping the peloton would give it some room as they had the day before,” said Jérôme. “Johan reacted very well. There was a huge battle to get into the move, and after fifty kilometres he got away with five other riders. They gained three minutes, but unlike the previous day, several teams contributed to the chase. They put up a great fight at the front, Johan made a strong impression, but they were caught with 2.5 kilometres remaining.” The anticipated bunch sprint therefore took place, but Eliott Boulet was once again unable to fully showcase his speed. “We found it harder than the day before to secure a good position,” Jérôme explained. “Eliott was stuck in the bunch and never found an opening to fight for a top-ten finish. There were practically two lines of riders blocking his way.” The Breton rider therefore had to settle for 14th place at the finish. On Tuesday, Stage 3 towards Villa d’Agri di Marsicovetere in Basilicata offered a more demanding route. “On paper, with 3,200 metres of elevation gain, it was almost a medium-mountain stage,” said Jérôme. “The climbs were relatively steady, but the final ascent, located thirteen kilometres from the finish, had the potential to create a major selection in the peloton.”
A strong three-man breakaway managed to come over that final climb in the lead while the peloton had been reduced to just forty riders. “We knew the stage could end in a sprint from a reduced peloton, and we were hoping to have several riders there,” Jérôme added. “The goal was to position Rémi and Victor at the foot of the final climb, which Baptiste in particular did very well. In the end, only Rémi managed to stay with the peloton over the top. It was a disappointment for Victor, but it was down to legs rather than positioning. In the final, Rémi tried to bridge across to the breakaway, but it was simply too difficult.” The three leaders ultimately succeeded and reached the finish a few metres ahead of the bunch. 29th place on the line, Rémi Daumas also remained within touching distance of his rivals in the general classification. That overall ranking was unlikely to change significantly during Wednesday’s fourth stage, where the climbs appeared insufficient to prevent another sprint finish.
“We’re right on schedule for the GC goal” – Jérôme Gannat
“We expected a relatively calm day, but the roads were full of potholes,” Jérôme reported. “There were countless punctures, mechanical problems, and crashes. We weren’t spared. Victor crashed again and had to abandon because he took quite a hit. Eliott crashed shortly before the first passage across the finish line, and Baptiste and Johan also went down, although they were all able to continue.” Meanwhile, a small breakaway formed but was kept firmly under control by the peloton, which reeled in the last remaining fugitive with five kilometres to go. Another sprint opportunity therefore presented itself for Eliott Boulet and “La Conti”. “Soan did a few turns at the front in the final kilometres,” Jérôme added. “Eliott was highly motivated. He did everything he could to get onto Donati’s wheel, and he succeeded. Unfortunately, there was another crash with 250 metres remaining. He was held up, his chain came off, and he was unable to sprint. It’s extremely frustrating because, while our positioning could have been better on the previous days, everything had been done perfectly this time.” As a result, the young Frenchman rolled across the line and was unable to secure the result he had been hoping for. “The results sheet isn’t looking good at the moment, for a variety of reasons,” Jérôme concluded. “However, our general classification goal with Rémi remains completely alive. There is still one circuit stage, two mountain stages, and an individual time trial to come. We’re right on schedule.”
