Groupama-FDJ’s Young Team Impresses in Debut Grand Tour
The Groupama-FDJ team made an impressive debut in the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, leaving a mark on the race and gaining valuable experience for the future. The young squad, including five Grand Tour rookies, showed no fear as they rode alongside the top contenders in the peloton.
“We started with a young team, but without complexes,” said lead sports director Benoît Vaugrenard. “We wanted to be in the mix right away and that’s what we managed to do. We did very well during the first ten days, especially with Lenny’s red jersey and his second place. I also liked the way they rode: always at the front, without fear. They rode alongside the big guys, the startlist was impressive, but I was stunned with their way of getting in the fight.”
The Groupama-FDJ team had an impressive record in the Vuelta, with eleven top-10 finishes, including two second places. While they missed out on a stage victory, Vaugrenard believes they couldn’t have done much better. “We were just beaten by a stronger rider each time and we didn’t miss many breaks that could interest us. We got the best out of this group, we couldn’t do better. There are really no regrets.”
However, there were some challenges along the way, particularly in the second week, when rider Lenny Martinez lost positions overall. Vaugrenard acknowledged this “hard sequence” and the need for support during those difficult moments. “We needed to find new goals to get them back into it, then they recovered and realized that everyone was struggling.”
Despite the challenges, Vaugrenard believes that the Vuelta was a valuable learning experience for the team’s young riders. “I think that our youngsters discovered themselves in many angles. In particular, they realized that you could still achieve something while being tired. This is something they didn’t really know.”
Vaugrenard sees the Vuelta as a stepping stone for the team’s future progression. “This should bring them an advantage already next year. They will acquire the strength that they did not all yet have at WorldTour level. I am sure that they will take another step forward.”
Overall, Groupama-FDJ’s debut in the Grand Tour was almost perfect, with the team proving that they have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in future races.
