David Gaudu grabs the red jersey
# David Gaudu Claims Red Jersey in Thrilling Stage of Vuelta a España
In a thrilling display of determination and strategy, David Gaudu of Groupama-FDJ secured the coveted leader’s red jersey during Stage 4 of the Vuelta a España, taking place in Voiron, France. After narrowly missing the jersey the previous day despite winning in Ceres, Gaudu’s tactical sprint helped him leapfrog Jonas Vingegaard in the overall standings, marking a significant achievement for the Breton cyclist.
The race was intensely competitive right from the start. Gaudu, who was tied with Vingegaard in time after three days of racing, needed to surpass the Dane’s ranking determined by their opening sprint performance in Novara. “We wanted to give it a go, but on the other hand, I was also a little cautious because we know that sprints can be dangerous, and I’ve crashed enough this year,” Gaudu shared. His coach, Frédéric Guesdon, noted the strategic nuances, “There were actually two possible scenarios today… we had to be very careful at the start.”
As the race progressed, the peloton managed to neutralize early breakaways. After climbing two challenging mountains—Col de Montgenèvre and Col du Lautaret—the sprinters’ teams took charge, ultimately setting up a final sprint finish. Gaudu initially hesitated to engage in the intermediate sprint, saying, “I didn’t want to compete in the intermediate sprint initially… but I immediately said on the radio: ‘Guys, let’s keep focused. We still have the finish line to go for the jersey.'”
With his teammates supporting him, Gaudu maintained a strong position, understanding that the final kilometers would be crucial. “David is second overall, he’s going strong, so we had to race in front and be up to it,” Guesdon explained. As the chaos of the final sprint unfolded, Gaudu managed to dodge potential pitfalls, remarking on the frenzy, “I couldn’t have done better. It’s the first and last time I’m going in there. It’s not where I belong (laughs).”
After crossing the finish line in 28th place, Gaudu was uncertain about his fate until he learned Vingegaard had finished seventeen spots behind him. The joy was palpable as he sought confirmation about the red jersey. “Taking the jersey is a right reward for the guys’ work today,” he celebrated. “It’s a bit symbolic because I won in Italy after a disappointing Giro… I went for this jersey for the team.”
With the Vuelta a España heading into Spain for the next stage, Groupama-FDJ celebrated with not just a stage win but also the leader’s jersey. Guesdon mentioned the successful preparation leading to this moment: “It’s also a reward for the investment this group has put into preparing for the Vuelta.” Looking ahead, Gaudu stated, “We will give it our all; we will see how it goes, but let’s take it day by day. For the time being, we have achieved the day’s goal.”
With spirits high, the team prepares for the upcoming challenges, showcasing their readiness for the grueling battle that lies ahead in one of cycling’s most prestigious races.
