All hopes on Gaudu: struggling team leader must bring Groupama-FDJ back to glory in the Giro d’Italia after years without success
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Follow us on GoogleThe Giro d’Italia team announcements keep rolling in, and Groupama-FDJ has now revealed the eight riders who will start in Albania. The French team doesn’t have the best track record at the first grand tour of the season, they last won a stage in 2022. This year, Groupama-FDJ is hoping David Gaudu can contend for a strong general classification result, while also aiming to finally win another stage in Italy.
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Among those tasked with delivering success is Luxembourg champion Kevin Geniets. The 28-year-old has already posted several strong results this year, though he has yet to claim a win. Rémy Rochas is another rider who could chase a stage victory, having already shown promising form in Australia earlier this season. But the main focus will be on Gaudu.
The Frenchman is the undisputed team leader and will be supported by Geniets and Rochas, as well as experienced riders Sven Erik Bystrøm and Quentin Pacher. Rounding out the eight-man roster are Davy Clément, Enzo Paleni, and Lorenzo Germani.
Read more below the tweet!
Gaudu named undisputed team leader for Groupama-FDJ
David Gaudu will do everything he can to secure a strong overall result. The French climber, who once finished fourth in the Tour de France during his peak years, is hoping to replicate that success—and sees the Giro as the perfect springboard. This will be his first appearance at the Giro d’Italia. “I’d really like to race the Giro, and I’d love to win a stage at the Tour,” Gaudu said back in December when discussing his 2025 ambitions.
But the 28-year-old will face stiff competition. Still, he firmly believes he can compete for the win, both at the Giro and the Tour. “My ultimate dream is to win the Tour or finish on the podium. I know it’s extremely difficult, that the odds are very slim, but if you don’t believe in it, there’s no point in going.” So far, though, the season hasn’t gone to plan. After taking a stage win at the Tour of Oman, his results have been underwhelming, he only finished 30th at last week’s Tour de Romandie.
Selection Groupama-FDJ Giro d'Italia 2025
- David Gaudu
- Kevin Geniets
- Rémy Rochas
- Sven Erik Bystrøm
- Quentin Pacher
- Enzo Paleni
- Davy Clément
- Lorenzo German
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026

