The mountains returned to center stage on the Tour de France this weekend. On Saturday, during the first mountain test in the Vosges, Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team was unable to make its mark despite showing real intent from the start. On Sunday, however, Ewen Costiou spent much of the day with the leading group after first making a large breakaway alongside Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet. The young Breton even reached the final climb at the front before reaching the top of Plateau de Solaison in a respectable seventeenth place. The riders will now enjoy a well-earned rest day.
The peloton had already had a taste of the Vosges mountains on Friday on the way to Belfort, where Clément Braz Afonso impressed with an eighth-place finish after tackling the Ballon d’Alsace. On Saturday, that same climb featured again, this time halfway through a stage that included three more classified ascents, 4,000 meters of elevation gain and the demanding Col du Haag before the finish at Le Markstein. As expected, the race exploded from the start on the Grand Ballon. “We were exemplary in our determination to get into the break with Ewen, Guillaume and Quentin,” said Yvon Caër. “They all tried, but the pace was absolutely relentless. Ewen was the last one to hold on, but when you look at the numbers they produced, they were simply at their limit. We knew the champions would eventually battle it out, so we have no regrets. We also felt there was a better chance for the break to succeed on Sunday, so once we were out of contention for the stage, it was only natural to ask the riders not to spend too much energy”. After 155 kilometres, it was indeed Tadej Pogačar who claimed the stage victory.
“I was feeling really good” – Ewen Costiou
Sunday’s stage to the Plateau de Solaison from Champagnole appeared to offer a more realistic opportunity, thanks to a less demanding start. However, that also triggered nearly two hours of fighting for the breakaway over the opening 80 kilometres. “We went for it again and everyone was fully committed,” Yvon said. “Our only regret is that Clément [Braz Afonso] was delayed by a mechanical issue, but Guillaume and Ewen made it into a 24-man break, which was a very good outcome for us.” The peloton allowed the escape to establish itself while keeping it within three minutes. Fifty kilometres later came the day’s first real challenge: the Col de la Croisette (4.5 km at 11%). It was there that Ewen Costiou truly caught the eye. “As the stage went on, my legs just kept getting better,” said the Breton. “Pidcock set a really strong pace on that steep climb, but I was feeling really good. I struggled a little near the top, but I managed to get back.” On the descent, the Groupama-FDJ United rider rejoined Quinn Simmons, Tom Pidcock, Einer Rubio, Yannis Voisard and Adam Yates—hardly ordinary company. “Ewen showed world-class qualities,” praised Yvon. “He was riding at his very best, but in the Tour de France, he was up against nothing but champions.”
The breakaway still held more than two minutes entering the final valley before the Plateau de Solaison (11 km at 9%). Despite Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the race after a crash, the yellow jersey group barely eased its pace. “I knew it would be difficult considering the level of the riders in the break and the gap to the peloton, but I fought all the way to the finish,” Ewen explained. “I rode at my own pace from the bottom of the climb and I have no regrets.” The young Frenchman was caught by the favourites’ group with eight kilometres remaining but still crossed the line in 17th place, five minutes behind stage winner Remco Evenepoel. “We have to highlight Ewen’s excellent performance, especially since he’s not a pure climber,” Yvon added. “He can be proud of himself. On Saturday, he set a new personal best for one-hour power at the start. He pushed himself into the red but then finished with the gruppetto so he could have another go today. He was there indeed, it wasn’t quite enough, but we have every reason to be confident for the future. Managing effort is also key in this Tour. He might have finished 35th on Saturday if he’d kept pushing, but that wouldn’t have meant anything and he would have paid for it today. By saving himself, he was able to perform at 100%. He eventually reached his physical limit, but only very close to the finish.”
“We have to keep trying” – Yvon Caër
That brought to an end another gruelling week of racing on the Tour de France. “We’re not giving up, and once again, we have absolutely no regrets,” stressed Yvon. “We committed ourselves fully and simply came up against our limits against the very best level of the season. We have to keep trying, even though we’re still dependent on the decisions of the leaders. Wednesday’s stage should suit both punchy climbers and sprinters who can handle the climbs. It’s a stage that fits our profile. The finish at Orcières-Merlette could also work well for us. Clément [Braz Afonso] is frustrated that he couldn’t fight on Sunday, Guillaume’s form is continuing to improve, and Ewen will have recovered well by then. Then we’ll still have the Paris stage, where Romain will have an opportunity on terrain that suits him. We’ll keep fighting!”
