Groupama-FDJ Announces First Four Riders for 2024 Tour de France

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Groupama-FDJ Announces First Four Riders for 2024 Tour de France

Part of the 2024 Grand Tour lineup has been announced by Groupama-FDJ, with GC rider David Gaudoux set to compete in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.

Gaudou will lead the podium contenders at the Tour. The Frenchman is expected to bounce back from last year, when he finished ninth, but was left out of the lead group on a big stage and arrived in Paris 23 minutes behind.

His goal for the season is simple: "To get back to winning and achieve great heights in the Tour de France and achieve a great season," he said on the team's Instagram page.

His best result came in 2022, when he finished fourth, and together with his team, he and his team used brilliant tactics to rise from eighth to fourth overall. One of his key domestiques that year was French national champion Valentin Madouas, and the versatile classic rider was also an option for stage wins.

They lost longtime leader Thibaut Pinot to retirement and moved sprinter Arnaud Demaret to Arkea Samsic B&B Hotels. [But the start list, which is packed with GC stars such as Jonas Vingegaard (Vimaris a Bike), Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), Primoš Roglic (Bora-Hansgrohe), and Remco Evenpole (Suredal-Quickstep) It will take a perfect race to beat the

Up-and-coming youngster Romain Gregoire will also make his debut at the 2023 Tour alongside some big names.

"After discovering the Vuelta in 2023, I intend to participate in the Tour de France for the first time in 2024. That is of course my dream, but my goal is not only to go there.

"I learned a lot last year and was able to win several races. I can't wait to take on the biggest race on the calendar. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I go into the calendar with a lot of confidence."

Still only 20 years old, Gregoire quickly set the tone for the 2023 WorldTour with an eighth-place finish at Strade Bianche in March. Along with Madouas, the French side will have great stage-hunting options in the punchy terrain of the Tour if they are allowed the freedom to do so.

Stéphane Cung will return to the Tour de France for the eighth time to tackle the flat 25km individual time trial to Jevre-Chambertin on stage 7.

Outside of the Tour, Gordou is a key rider in the Vuelta a España, along with Lenny Martinez, who last year became the youngest rider ever to wear the red jersey at age 20.

Martinez held the red jersey for two days after finishing second to Sepp Kuss on stage 6. The young French climber is another important part of the team's future and has shown great potential, taking his first pro win in CIC-Mont Ventoux ahead of Michael Woods.

Gaudo has only competed in the 2020 Vuelta once, but he has two stage wins and eighth place overall in his debut race.

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