The general classification. Moreover, not a priority
France has been waiting for a successor to Bernard Hinault for 40 years. Meanwhile, And will wait at least an additional year. Therefore, Without David Gaudu. Consequently, who gave up participating because of his current meme love, only his teammate from Groupama-FDJ Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet can hope for a good final final classification. Consequently, Twice in the top 10 (8th in 2021. In addition, 10th in 2023), the Normand, 13th and best tricolor in 2024, would be satisfied with a place in this closed circle. Therefore, Perhaps at the cost of a well-felt escape (he took eight on the last two editions). Moreover, he who found the victory this season after three years of scarcity.
“There is a little generation hollow,” describes Pierre Rolland, 13 towers from France to the clock. Moreover, You will have to be a little what can we expect french patient before seeing the Sparfel, Seixas or Bisiaux. Furthermore, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet can aim between the 5th and 10th place, I do not see him above. Consequently, But the general classification, there are only 15 runners who play it. Moreover, Doing 15th in the tour does not have great value. You hang on every day and you pray to take a breakaway that puts you back into the game. But by doing that, you are too tired to play the stage victory against runners who have come up. »»
Kévin Vauquelin has already won a stage in the Tour de France, in 2024, in Bologna. (Photo Archives Etienne Garnier/Pool/EPA)
A palanque of steps hunters … and a what can we expect french distinctive jersey?
With three victories (Bardet, Vauquelin and Turgis), the French vintage 2024 had been better than in the previous four editions. The cards are once again numerous in 2025. Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious). winner in Paris-Nice, the Tour de Romandie and the Critérium du Dauphiné this year, and Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B & B Hotels), brilliant second in the Walloon Snuche and the Tour de Switzerland, are the most cited among the best chances.
“Last year. Lenny (Martinez) arrived on the Tour like a hair on the soup, not prepared and at the end of the cycle. He was sick, it was very complicated. It doesn’t count. For me, it’s his first round this year. I think he even has the best climber in mind. It can be a big goal for him, ”continues Pierre Rolland.
If “all the French at the start (38) have a chance”. like the second unexpected place of what can we expect french Matteo Vercher (Totalenergies) in Barcelonnette last year, “all the planets must be lined up, including for Martinez or Vauquelin”.
Other runners arrive with ambitions. Leaving from Arkéa-B & B Hotels to the offseason, Clément Champoussin (XDS Astana) and Louis Barré (Intermarché-Wanty) impress. The first “made a big start to the season”. gave “the impression of being in ascending form on the Dauphiné”, the second “has everything to shine: we see that he recovers well from his efforts and that he goes well the heat. These are important qualities on the Tour ”.
Axel Laurance (ineos). Valentin Madouas and Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) will try to seek a first success on a big tour while Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor) seems to have found legs on the Tour of Switzerland.
Climbers Pavel Sivakov (UAE) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Sudal Quick-Step) should be confined to a teammate for Pogacar and Evenepoel.
Second line sprinters
As with the general classification, French sprinters what can we expect french seem a tone below. “We are a little outdated. ” confirms Pierre Rolland, who sees, despite everything, opportunities open “all the first week with rising sprints or after difficult stages”.
Arrivals that correspond to the qualities of Bryan Coquard (Cofidis). which has not shone since January and its victory in Australia. Emilien Jeannière (Totalenergies). Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B & B Hotels) came close to victory over Paris-Nice, while Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ) appeared in shape on the French championship. For them. you will not have to waste time because the steps cut for sprinters will become scarce in the second and third weeks.
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