A very satisfying week for “La Conti”
# A Successful Week for “La Conti” in the Tour of Slovakia
Despite not finishing on a high note, “La Conti” Groupama-FDJ wrapped up an overall satisfying week of racing at the Tour of Slovakia this Sunday. Rémi Daumas managed to secure a commendable eleventh place in the final stage, which culminated in a challenging summit finish.
The early stages of the race, primarily designed for sprinters, saw “La Conti” performing effectively. As they approached the less demanding stage on Saturday, covering 170 kilometers from Vráble to Sládkovičovo, Oscar Nilsson-Julien audaciously decided to break away for the third time that week. Team coach Jérôme Gannat observed, “The goal was also to have an impact and show ourselves in this Class 1 race. Oscar did that very well; it was good to have him in front, but we knew that Soudal-Quick Step wanted the stage win again.”
With about thirty kilometers remaining, Nilsson-Julien’s lead dwindled to a minute, yet he persisted almost to the finish line. Ultimately, another sprint materialized, marking the fourth consecutive day of such competition. “We were quite well organized with two kilometers to go, but when we turned around, Matt hit the grass, lost a few positions, and had to make an effort to get back on Blake’s wheel,” Gannat explained. Despite the team’s efforts to secure a podium finish, Matt Walls found himself blocked on the final straight and ended up in 17th place.
The final stage on Sunday featured a more difficult course with multiple climbs over just 120 kilometers. The initial circuit included a challenging two-kilometer climb at a steep 12%, which Gannat anticipated would shake up the competition. “We knew that Visma-Lease a Bike would shake things up and, above all, make sure to get rid of Paul Magnier before the final climb,” he noted.
As the race progressed, it became clear that Rémi Daumas was holding strong. Gannat reported, “In the second lap, it really accelerated, and only fifty guys remained. In the last lap, there was a really big push, Cian Uijtdebroeks attacked, the peloton was all over the place, but Rémi held on.” Ultimately, Daumas finished the climb in eleventh position, 1’23 behind the winner Paul Double. Gannat highlighted the significance of Daumas’s performance: “The positive thing is that he was able to follow during the first selection and at the bottom of the last climb.”
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Gannat offered a glowing assessment: “The balance is very positive. I’d go so far as to say it was one of the most accomplished races of the year. The team showed superb attitude, rode as a unit, and they even surprised me.” He concluded by praising the riders for their teamwork and presence throughout the stages, indicating the experience gained would be advantageous for future competitions. “We saw the Groupama-FDJ jersey, which is very good at this level, and when we remember that we are a development team.”
