Le 13 September, the French Cycling Federation has unveiled its selection for the Road Cycling World Championships. The runners called are : Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ), Romain Bardet (DSM), Rémi Cavagna (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), Christophe Laporte, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ), Florian Senechal (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) et Pavel Sivakov (INEOS).
The group consists of nine runners. Eight riders are allocated to the big cycling nations (of which France is a part). To these eight, adds Julian Alaphilippe because he is the title holder.
This year, many followers doubt the ability of the French team to repeat the feat of winning the race. How the French must do to win ?
An unlucky French team
The riders of the France team have suffered from bad luck this season. The double world champion, Julian Alaphilippe is the main affected this year. All the followers remember his fall on Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He had fractured his shoulder blade, ribs and suffered a pneumothorax. Nearly four months of rehabilitation followed.. He then made his comeback with a victory in the Tour de Wallonie at the top of his beloved Mur de Huy.. He will be declared positive for Covid-19 the day after. He then runs the Vuelta a Espana to support his leader and glean stage victories. He dislocates his shoulder on the 11th stage. Consequently, two weeks of rest are recommended. The World Championships will be his recovery race. The form of the usual leader of the French team is currently unknown.
As the saying goes, don't put all the eggs in one basket. Betting only on Alaphilippe would be a big mistake, especially since its form is uncertain.
To establish a strategy, it is necessary to know the route. What does it look like ?
The course
The race will be run on 266.9 kilometers. The peloton will pass through the Mont Keira (7,5km to 5,7%) then borrow the Mont Pleasant (1,1 km to 8,6%) twelve times. The positive elevation will be 4167 meters. It is slightly less than that of the Championships of 2020 in Imola where Alaphilippe won his first rainbow jersey.
Mount Pleasant is comparable to Salmon Hill, the bump where, (encore) Julian Alaphilippe distinguished himself at the World Championships in 2017, in Bergen. A short and steep climb, ideal for punchers.
The ascent of Mount Keira could however wear out the weakest of them.
The route therefore corresponds to the punchers/climbers. The winner will be an enduring runner considering the distance. To triumph, it will have to be mainly explosive but also resist long efforts. Some riders from the French team perfectly match the profile required to win...
The strategy to apply
As previously stated, the French will be nine at the start. So they will be outnumbered compared to other big nations. A definite advantage. Car, as it is often said : cycling is an individual sport raced as a team. The fact of being numerous brings multiple advantages. It is easier to chase attackers or harass opponents. This strategy had then made it possible to win the title in 2021 (c.f. summary of the race). This is a tactic to adopt when we are not favorites. This makes it possible to destabilize opponents who, them, must pursue the attackers while his teammates are content to follow in the wheels.
Many strategies are possible for the French. Here are the roles each of the runners could hold :
Rémi Cavagna :
Rémi Cavagna is one of the best French riders. He used to do the tempo. He should ride in the first part of the race to prevent the breakaways from taking too much field.
Christophe Laporte :
The Jumbo-Visma sprinter has passed a milestone this year. The Varois has worked a lot for his leader Wout Van Aert. The role of team member is therefore not unknown to him. in addition, it passes the bumps very well. This is a significant quality on a course like Wollongong. He should confine himself to the role of team member. Its qualities in bumps not being developed enough.
Bruno Armirail
The Groupama-FDJ runner is very versatile. It rolls very well and passes short climbs with ease.. He will surely succeed Rémi Cavagna to ride. The valleys are more successful than in Cavagna. He will be able to control the race before the final packing.
Otherwise, if the race scenario allows it, Bruno Armirail will be able to try his luck starting from afar.
Florian Senechal
The Cambrésien had served as co-leader at the Louvain World Championships. It is a sprinter that suffers little from rugged profiles. It's not his favorite place though.. Knowing that it is not a very good roller, he could try his luck on a breakaway and thus force the opposing teams to roll.
Pavel Sivakov
Naturalized French less than a year ago, Pavel Sivakov is selected for the first time in the French team. He's a climber. His role will be to wreak havoc / disrupt other nations.
Quentin Pacher
Quentin Pacher comes out of a very good Vuelta. He was not far from a stage victory. It was on the 17th stage where he crossed the line in 2nd position. His punch will be a great help for France. On paper, he does not have the necessary skills to impose himself. All the same, watch out for him if he slips into a blow. He could outrun a lot of runners on an attack. Quentin Pacher will be a second-tier leader but will still have to master the race to prevent his leaders from being overwhelmed.
Romain Bardet
The Auvergnat comes out of two good Canadian classics (the Grand Prix of Quebec then of Montreal). He had shown good punching skills there. He was playing supporting roles. A Wolongong, he should play the same role as Quentin Pacher.
Valentin Madouas
Valentin Madouas is having an excellent season 2022. He landed a top 10 on the Tour de France after finishing on the podium in the Tour of Flanders. The Breton is in the shape of his life.
He is a puncher / climber. He is renowned as one of the most enduring cyclists in the peloton.
The course of the World Championships is tailor-made for him. Although it has not yet proven itself in international races, we will have to be wary of Valentin Madouas.
Julian Alaphilippe
The form of the double world champion is uncertain. He has not raced since his retirement from the Tour of Spain.
In theory, the layout is ideal for him. Short steep hills.
It will be the co-leader of the French team if the form is sufficient. Otherwise, expect a demonstration of his racing sense…
The French team will have several cards to play. The scenario should be similar to last year : A race started very early and attacks in all directions. The French can claim a third title in a row but for that you will have to be offensive.
