Clément Braz Afonso – “My First Year in the WorldTour” Part 6
# Clément Braz Afonso Reflects on His First Year in the WorldTour: Lessons, Memories, and Growth
In his final installment of the Road Diary, Clément Braz Afonso, the 26-year-old cyclist who joined Groupama-FDJ, reflects on his inaugural adventure in the WorldTour. After an intense year filled with remarkable experiences and challenges, Afonso discusses the highs and lows of competing at the elite level.
“More than two months have passed since my last post, but I couldn’t end the year without one last account and a proper conclusion,” he writes. Afonso recalls his debut Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España, noting the unpredictability of how his body would react. “I was obviously feeling a bit tired, I felt a slight pain in my adductor, but I managed to recover before the Italian campaign at the end of the season.”
He reminisces about the Giro dell’Emilia, where he initially excelled before faltering as fatigue set in. “I think I cracked three laps from the finish,” he admits, while still expressing satisfaction with his overall performance. Yet, frustrations lingered as he found himself struggling at the Tre Valli Varesine behind competitors like Pogacar.
Afonso’s journey reached a bittersweet climax at Il Lombardia, where he faced the stark reality of his racing limits. “My goal was to get in the breakaway… but in the end, the first attack proved to be the right one.” He crashed early in the race, which significantly impacted his performance. Despite feeling overwhelmed, he chose to withdraw, understanding the importance of common sense in racing.
Although he wished for a more glamorous finale, Afonso focused on the positives learned throughout the season. “Sometimes it’s also important to remember what you did well,” he reflects. He acknowledges the high level of competition, revealing his astonishment at the depth of talent he faced, stating, “I honestly thought, ‘What the hell is this?’”
As the season ended, Afonso engaged in reflective discussions with his team in Besançon. “Both the team and I were pleasantly surprised by my first WorldTour season,” he recalls. He shared his achievements, including surviving 70 race days, a significant increase from his previous season, while also understanding the need for mental rejuvenation.
Through this journey, Afonso learned the value of nurturing connections and savoring each experience. He emphasized the significance of enjoyment in sport, saying, “You have to enjoy every moment you’re lucky enough to experience.” This philosophy makes him cherish memories from his club’s youth gathering and his family’s support at various championships.
As he concluded the year, Afonso took a five-week break to reconnect with friends and recharge. “It was good to discuss things with the people I needed to discuss them with and leave it there,” he explained, highlighting the importance of balance in his life as an athlete.
“If you’re interested, you can check out the short series on the team’s website,” he invites readers to learn more about his journey. With hopes to continue growing and collecting memories—a breakaway performance with Bernal and Landa being a personal highlight—Afonso set his sights on the future while expressing gratitude to Groupama-FDJ for the opportunity.
Although the first chapter of his WorldTour saga has closed, Afonso remains optimistic. “Perhaps one day there will be a sequel to this Road Diary. If I’m lucky enough to raise my arms in victory,” he muses. Until then, Clément Braz Afonso looks forward to continuing his journey on the bike, ever eager to embrace the challenges ahead.
