David Gaudu’s winning rebirth
# David Gaudu: A Triumphant Return to Form at the Vuelta a España
After a challenging season riddled with setbacks, David Gaudu experienced a heartwarming resurgence during stage 3 of the Vuelta a España. Following a commendable third-place finish in Limone Piemonte, the Breton climber showcased his tenacity and skill once again, outpacing rivals Mads Pedersen and Jonas Vingegaard to clinch victory in Ceres—marking his third win in the Vuelta and his first WorldTour victory since 2022. With three stages completed, Gaudu currently occupies second place in the general classification, sharing the same time as the Danish red jersey holder.
The 2025 Vuelta’s penultimate Italian stage proved pivotal for Gaudu. The Groupama-FDJ cycling team was down to seven after Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet withdrew due to injury. Despite the odds, the team maintained their focus on what appeared to be a calm route but held potential for tension. “After David’s performance yesterday, and given today’s route, we believed in our chances,” said team manager Frédéric Guesdon. “We started with the aim of competing in the final with David and Thibaud, but everything depended on how the stage unfolded.”
As the peloton navigated the final ascent, nerves began to surface, particularly in the last five kilometres. “There was a small downhill, and we couldn’t linger at the back because the corners followed one another quite quickly after,” Guesdon explained. Gaudu, recognizing the critical moment, made a calculated effort to position himself correctly just 2km from the finish. “I managed to find the right timing to get back to the right wheels,” he noted.
Encouraged by teammate Stefan Küng, Gaudu found himself in a strong position as the finish neared. “Stefan told me: you can beat Pedersen,” he recalled. Though initially skeptical, Gaudu surged forward, just behind Pedersen and Vingegaard in the final stretch. “I saw that Mads wasn’t going to close the door, I managed to take the inside, and then it was a man-to-man fight all the way to the finish line,” he described, ultimately winning a nail-biting sprint.
With emotions running high, Gaudu reflected on the significance of the win: “This season has been so hard… I’m really, really emotional. I’ve had one setback after another, but the team has always supported me.” Guesdon remarked on the importance of this victory for both Gaudu and the team’s morale, especially following a challenging start to the season. “It’s going to do good to everyone. Returning to victory after so many difficulties is always moving,” he stated.
Although the team missed out on the red jersey, Gaudu’s performance solidified their strong start to the Grand Tour. “A victory, a podium, second overall—we would have agreed for such a start before the Vuelta,” Guesdon concluded. As the Groupama-FDJ team looks ahead to the next stage in Voiron, they remain hopeful and determined, motivated by Gaudu’s remarkable return to form.
