The Groupama-FDJ United cycling team showed two very different faces during last weekend’s Canadian Classics. After a disappointing outing in Québec, Yvon Caër’s riders did everything they could to turn things around in Montréal. And although Clément Braz Afonso was involved in a heavy crash more than forty kilometres from the finish, he fought bravely to get back into the race, also thanks to the support of his teammates. He eventually finished 24th, despite another costly incident late in the race. The result ultimately failed to reflect the group’s fighting spirit.
This year marked the fifteenth edition of the Grands Prix cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, and, as usual, the first round took place on Friday in the most French-speaking of Canada’s cities. Along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the peloton tackled a circuit that was almost identical to last year’s, after having been redesigned, with the Côte de la Montagne (600 m at 9%) as the only major difficulty, although it had to be climbed twenty times. “Since the circuit was shortened, the dynamics of the race have been different and significantly more difficult,” Yvon Caër explained. This year’s edition was no exception, as the action began early and Groupama-FDJ United struggled to find its place in the race. “The dynamics of the race put us in trouble, and we didn’t have the riders capable of following the big moves,” Yvon continued. “Clément and Ewen had very bad sensations, and it was just a little too difficult for Thibaud. We weren’t at the required level. So we were always one step behind.” This became particularly apparent when the favourites made their move with forty kilometres to go.
“I saw warriors” – Yvon Caër
“When Evenepoel bridged across to the front, we almost managed to correct the situation as well, but Clément and Quentin were lacking that little bit extra, and we were quickly out of contention,” Yvon added. “It was intense very early on, and since we were physically one notch below, we simply suffered”. Groupama-FDJ United was therefore unable to compete during the final hour of racing, and arrived in Montréal on Sunday determined to bounce back, on a more demanding circuit featuring the famous Côte de Camillien-Houde (2 km at 7%). “We showed a completely different face,” Yvon said with satisfaction. “We questioned ourselves after our failure in Québec. The guys were very frustrated with their performance, and we raced much further up in the peloton, including during the quieter part of the race. We were much more committed, and we quickly understood that Clément [Braz Afonso] was our best card. He was guided very well by Ewen, who immediately said that he didn’t have good legs and started working early. Then Johan, Thibaud and Quentin did a good job of putting Clément in the best possible position.” With just over three laps remaining, the French team was therefore well represented in a reduced peloton, chasing behind the first attacks.
Unfortunately, events took an unfortunate turn when, around forty kilometres from the finish, Clément Braz Afonso was involved in a heavy crash just as the decisive battle was about to begin. Despite being shaken up, the young man managed to get back on his feet and resume the race, then embarked on a time-trial-like effort. “I want to give Clément a huge amount of credit, first for getting back up and rejoining the race, but also to Quentin and especially Thibaud, who really committed to get him back into contention,” Yvon said. “Before his crash, I really thought Clément was able to fight for a top-15 finish. It became complicated after the crash, but I saw riders who simply didn’t want to give up. We did everything we could to get back into the race, and that is proof of our fighting spirit and determination. We can certainly praise their attitude in that respect. They never let it go, and that gives them great credit. I saw warriors.” While the battle among the favourites was raging at the front, Clément Braz Afonso managed to make his way back into the “peloton” thanks to a final pull from Thibaud Gruel, after a full lap spent chasing. Barely back in the group, he then had to dig deep to follow the accelerations on the Côte de Camillien-Houde, and he fought his way into the third group on the road before the final lap of the circuit. A top-15 finish then seemed within reach.
“A strong response in Montréal” – Yvon Caër
“Unfortunately, he crashed again six kilometres from the finish, on the final small climb, because a rider fell in front of him and took him down,” Yvon regretted. “He was thrown out of the group he had been riding in, and that group eventually contested 15th place.” Following this final stroke of bad luck, Clément Braz Afonso had to settle for 24th place at the finish, two minutes behind winner Isaac del Toro. The Canadian trip therefore did not go Groupama-FDJ United’s way this year. “What I take away from this weekend is the disappointment in Québec, where we were not at the required level, but also the strong response in Montréal, where we were where we should have been and capable of bringing our strongest rider into contention for the top 15,” Yvon concluded. “We finished on a positive note, both physically and in terms of our attitude. Unfortunately, however, luck was not on our side.”
