All hopes on Gaudu: struggling team leader must bring Groupama-FDJ back to glory in the Giro d’Italia after years without success

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.

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.