Rudy Molard close to the best
# Rudy Molard Shines in Giro dell’Emilia, Finishing Strong in Twelfth Place
In a spectacular display of stamina and skill at the Giro dell’Emilia held near the Basilica of San Luca in Bologna, Rudy Molard delivered an impressive performance this past Saturday. Climbing through a challenging route that included 3,000 meters of elevation across 200 kilometers, the French rider showcased his strength by tackling the renowned San Luca hill. Despite being caught by the favorites on the demanding ascents, Molard secured a commendable twelfth place against a formidable WorldTour-caliber field.
As the race unfolded, riders faced five daunting ascents of San Luca, each measuring 2.1 kilometers at a steep 9.4% gradient. After the halfway point, the peloton encountered several climbs, with a five-rider breakaway initially leading the pack but later recaptured by the peloton. “We trusted him because he knows these races well and he came out of the Vuelta in good shape,” said Yvon Caër, team manager of Groupama-FDJ. “We know that these courses suit him perfectly when he’s in condition.”
Molard remained a core part of the leading group, along with teammate Clément Braz Afonso. “The goal was to come fresh for the final, and we knew it would come down to the legs,” Yvon noted, underscoring the strategic approach the team took. The pace intensified quickly, resulting in a selection of only thirty riders remaining after the initial climbs.
Riding strongly through the race, Molard held on through the relentless attacks of his rivals. After becoming distanced by powerful accelerations from competitors like Tom Pidcock and Del Toro, he showcased his resilience by rejoining the pack just in time. “It was a constant fight; it never really eased down,” Yvon observed.
On the final ascent, Molard attempted to create a gap, driven by the lack of pressure in that moment. Despite not breaking away as planned, he led into the summit climb but was quickly caught by the best in the field. Ultimately, he crossed the finish line in twelfth place, just twenty-four seconds behind victor Del Toro. “I’m happy with my performance,” Molard stated. “I was still with the best until the end. I think I left a little too much energy in my attempt at the bottom of the final climb, but I had nothing to lose.”
Yvon Caër reflected on the overall performance, emphasizing that “Rudy lived up to our expectations and rode a very good race.” The positive outcome bodes well for the team’s future endeavors, particularly as they prepare for the upcoming Il Lombardia, a race where Molard has historically excelled after a strong performance in Giro dell’Emilia. With fresh riders joining the team for the Coppa Agostoni, Groupama-FDJ is poised for a dynamic week ahead in Italy.
