Another tough day
# Struggles Continue for Groupama-FDJ in Tour du Limousin
After a challenging opening stage, the difficulties persisted for the Groupama-FDJ cycling team during stage 2 of the Tour du Limousin – Périgord – Nouvelle Aquitaine. Following the withdrawal of teammates Lorenzo Germani and Eddy Le Huitouze, the French squad was left with only four riders. Despite their efforts, they were unable to make a significant impact in the decisive stretch leading to Grèzes, with Rémy Rochas finishing in seventeenth place.
The second stage, while not featuring the steepest climbs of the week, was marked as a pivotal moment in the race. With seven climbs packed into the final seventy kilometers, the stage demanded endurance. Even though the slopes weren’t particularly daunting, the relentless ascents contributed to a fierce competition for the overall standings. Following the crash that sidelined Quentin Pacher on day one, the Team faced a severe setback. “From a collective point of view, all these abandons are obviously hard blows that have impacted the squad,” acknowledged Benoît Vaugrenard. “Lorenzo and Quentin, in particular, were capable of performing well on this type of course. With only four riders, the idea was to wait and ride conservatively. We didn’t really have a choice. The goal was to stay with the best for as long as possible.”
The race saw a breakaway of five riders create a lead of nearly seven minutes over a peloton that began to quicken its pace as the climax of the stage approached. The gap dwindled, and eventually closed with thirty kilometers remaining. At this crucial juncture, Tom Donnenwirth fell behind, leaving the group even more strained. “Then, Rémy missed a little something to follow the group of ten that went away on the penultimate climb,” Benoît admitted. “We were definitely a level below, physically speaking. The momentum isn’t great at the moment, and we’ll have to get back on track pretty quickly.”
As the day concluded, Sylvain Moniquet celebrated victory while Rémy Rochas crossed the finish line 1 minute 28 seconds later, holding the same seventeenth position in the overall standings. “Tomorrow, it could be an uphill sprint for the peloton, or a breakaway day, given the gaps that were made today,” Benoît predicted. “We’ll have to be careful about the moves at the start, then we’ll focus on Tom in the event of a sprint because this uphill finish could suit him.”
With challenges mounting, the Groupama-FDJ team remains determined to regroup and push forward as the tour continues.
