David Gaudu faces his first summit test

# David Gaudu Takes on His First Summit Challenge at UAE Tour

In an exciting return to racing, David Gaudu faced his inaugural summit finish during Stage 3 of the UAE Tour on Wednesday. Following a brief hiatus from competition, Gaudu tackled the challenging new ascent of Jebel Mobrah, finishing in 21st place as he prepared for his next test at Jebel Hafeet on Saturday.

The UAE Tour has shifted gears dramatically, moving from an extremely flat individual time trial where Rémi Cavagna clinched a commendable third place, to the steep inclines of the 183-kilometer Stage 3. This stage centered around an imposing climb, the freshly introduced Jebel Mobrah. Spanning thirteen kilometers with an average gradient exceeding 8%, the steepness intensified over the final seven kilometers, nearing 12%. Such a demanding course was bound to impact the general classification significantly.

Despite the early breakaway establishing a two-minute lead, it had little bearing on the outcome as the race closed in on the final ascent. The Groupama-FDJ team provided unwavering support, with Stéphane Goubert commending their “mature” approach: “The guys stayed calm around David all day, which shows the team’s maturity.”

As the race heated up, the relentless gradient of Jebel Mobrah started to fracture the peloton. Once a brief descent concluded with seven kilometers remaining, the climb intensified beyond 15%, forcing climbers to showcase their capabilities. Gaudu initially held a solid position before slowly losing ground, eventually finishing around twentieth place while Antonio Tiberi surged ahead. He crossed the line in 21st position, and Goubert reflected on the day’s performance: “It was a first test to see where he stands in the rebuilding process he started this winter. He was on target until about 3 to 3.5 kilometers from the finish. After that, he was missing a bit, but gaps grow quickly on such steep gradients. David is disappointed. That’s normal—but it’s a good thing, because that’s how you move forward. We have to be realistic, keep working, and look ahead rather than behind.”

Looking forward, the next pivotal moment in the general classification is set for the renowned Jebel Hafeet climb on Saturday, while anticipation builds for the first actual bunch sprint of the UAE Tour occurring on Thursday.