David Gaudu discussion thread

[Red Rick]

Maybe, he's just a very forgetable and uninspiring rider. He's a OTP, no real punch, no timetrial, only riding tempo in the mountains. Just a much worse Carlos Sastre

He's relatively punchy. Got some decent results in one days, including a podium in Liege.

He's more like a heavy discount Purito to me.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I guess he somewhat punchy. I just don't like the guy, and I dont believe in the guy either tbh. But he can prove me wrong ofc!

 

[Netserk]

I think he's in the rather large group of riders who can end up top-5 in this year's Tour.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I think he's in the rather large group of riders who can end up top-5 in this year's Tour.

I think he should target a stage win instead. I had high hopes for him last season, but he didn't deliver, and with two ITTs this year and a possibly more stacked field, I don't fancy his GC chances. And if he keeps crashing (he also crashed during recon for the Gran Camiño ITT) it will be harder for him to reach his best form before the Tour.

 

[tobydawq]

I think he should target a stage win instead. I had high hopes for him last season, but he didn't deliver, and with two ITTs this year and a possibly more stacked field, I don't fancy his GC chances. And if he keeps crashing (he also crashed during recon for the Gran Camiño ITT) it will be harder for him to reach his best form before the Tour.

Last year, seven of the top 8 got a stage win so those two things are hardly mutually exclusive.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Last year, seven of the top 8 got a stage win so those two things are hardly mutually exclusive.

Top 10 is obviously not impossible, but Netserk talked about top 5 which I definitely think will be quite hard for him to get.

 

[staubsauger]

Gaudu could podium the Giro d'Italia, despite the TT kilometers. Simply because after Pogacar has secured the pink jersey there's room and possibility of successful long-range attacks as UAE doesn't need to control.

Top 5 at the Tour de France when the full arms race is on? Nearly impossible for Gaudu!

 

[Bolder]

I guess he somewhat punchy. I just don't like the guy, and I dont believe in the guy either tbh. But he can prove me wrong ofc!

Gaudu has a really good kick, actually. Didn't he outsprint Wout on an uphill finish?

He's not a consistent tippy top level climber, however, and lacks a big TT.

I was a fan of the low-key Gaudu, but high-profile, high-ambition Gaudu, without the big wins to back it up, is not an appealing personality.

But I think he can still be top 5 in the tour, particularly if the podium contenders burn up their lieutenants. Take away riders like Hindley and A. Yates and Gaudu is no worse than Gall or C. Rod, for example.

 

[cen]

He is a better stage hunter than GC for sure, got some memorable victories that way.

 

[Rob5091]

Surprisingly down for Route Adélie de Vitré on Friday (March 29)
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/route-adelie-de-vitre/2024/startlist
before Basque Tour on Monday. Had a poor Paris-Nice so needs a boost before the Tour.

 

[staubsauger]

Gaudu hasn't been good since 2023 Paris-Nice!

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Hopefully he can achieve a good result tomorrow, always liked his riding style which relies on having confidence.