FDJ Cycling Team (France) - Press Release: On Thursday, June 17, the Groupama-FDJ cycling team experienced one of the greatest days of its long history. In the 2021 French time trial championship, Marc Madiot’s riders clearly dominated the competition and actually monopolized all podium spots! Two years after his first title, Benjamin Thomas took the jersey back while Bruno Armirail and Alexys Brunel won the silver and bronze medals respectively. A perfect day, simple as that.

“I don’t realize yet”, Benjamin Thomas.

A year after losing it, Groupama-FDJ aimed to conquer the tricolour jersey again on Thursday. In order to do that, they could count on several men on the quite demanding course of Épinal, across forty-five kilometres. “There was a little more elevation gain than last year, but we actually did the recon, we realized that it did not really feel like it,” said Anthony Bouillod, one of the team’s coaches. “The climbs were less steep than last year, which was rather to our advantage”. The rider from the organization to set off was the Conti member Enzo Paleni shortly before 4pm. Clément Davy, who went from that same Conti to the WorldTeam last winter, started soon after and showed his elders the way. The former Junior French Champion got better and better during the time trial and even set the best provisional time when he got to the line. “He had a very good performance”, said Anthony. “His work in Arnaud’s group also allows him to ride strong as he did today. He clearly improved”. Later, Alexys Brunel, Bruno Armirail and Benjamin Thomas, all candidates for the podium, also left the start area. And all three did end up with a medal around their neck on Thursday, as the defending champion Rémi Cavagna did not have his best day.