Valentin Madouas activates survival mode in Montreal

# Madouas Battles Through Intense Conditions at Grand Prix de Montréal

In what has been described as one of the toughest races of his career, Valentin Madouas showcased his resilience at the Grand Prix de Montréal, held on Sunday. The event, a part of the Canadian Classics, saw a strategic yet grueling game shaped by Tadej Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates, leading to a demanding race where only approximately twenty riders remained in contention as the final kilometers approached.

As the race commenced, UAE Team Emirates wasted no time in asserting their dominance. “It’s undoubtedly one of the hardest races of my career,” said Madouas. “It was extremely difficult, with a furious pace from start to finish. I don’t think we’ve ever done anything like that.” Thierry Bricaud, Madouas’s team director, echoed this sentiment, noting, “It was a very tough day, but one we expected… We were almost certain that UAE would quickly make the race hard, and that’s what happened. There was no surprise.”

With the onset of the race, a breakaway of seven riders initially formed, but it quickly succumbed to the relentless pace set by Pogacar’s teammates on the first of the seventeen climbs of the Camilien-Houde hill, which featured a demanding gradient of 7.3%. As the laps progressed, Madouas, who remained in the thick of the action, found himself isolated when decisive attacks began, notably from Brandon McNulty and Pogacar himself.

Despite his efforts, Madouas struggled to keep up with the leading group. “I wasn’t super confident for the sprint finish, so I tried to anticipate several times,” he explained. “Unfortunately, I was caught each time. It was really a race of attrition and mental strength.” Ultimately, he finished in fifteenth place, three minutes behind the leading duo of McNulty and Pogacar, who crossed the line together.

Bricaud lamented, “Valentin deserved a better reward,” revealing disappointment at the outcome despite recognizing Madouas’s strong performance. “It was possible to do better, but the race’s circumstances decided. Valentin put in the effort, but things didn’t align for him to secure a nice result.”

Reflecting on the race, Madouas noted, “I definitely came here to do better than fifteenth, but I have no regrets. I’m proud of myself. I gave everything I had today, and it was a close call for the top-10.” He remains optimistic about his performance, believing that perseverance will eventually yield greater rewards in future races.