'David has become an irritating mystery' - Gaudu's Tour de France selection in doubt
David Gaudu’s place in Groupama-FDJ United’s squad for the 2026 Tour de France is in serious doubt. The 29-year-old Breton has struggled for form, while reports from Le Parisien suggest his standing within the team has deteriorated. The management is considering omitting him from the eight rider lineup, which would see Gaudu miss the Tour for a second consecutive year after targeting the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España in 2025.
Gaudu’s most recent major result came at the 2025 Vuelta a España, where he won Stage 3 and moved into the leader’s red jersey one day later. He has struggled to reproduce that level in 2026, with fifth place at the Boucles de l’Aulne in May his best individual result of the season.
Le Parisien reports that his form and attitude have caused growing frustration within the team. An unnamed Groupama-FDJ United rider described the change in Gaudu’s standing:
“David has become a frustrating mystery. He no longer has the fire, but he is the only one who does not realise it. And I can tell you that he has fewer and fewer supporters within the team.”
Gaudu’s spring campaign was disrupted by severe allergy problems, which delayed his return to racing and affected his preparation. Those setbacks provide some context for his results, but they have not eased the pressure surrounding his position within the team. His contract runs until the end of 2027.
Gaudu has spent his entire professional career with the French setup, joining the WorldTour team in 2017 and later emerging as one of its main Grand Tour leaders.
His best result came at the 2022 Tour de France, where he finished fourth overall behind Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogačar and Geraint Thomas. He returned to finish ninth in 2023. His palmarès also includes three Vuelta stage victories and stage wins at the Critérium du Dauphiné, Itzulia Basque Country and Tour de Romandie.
Sunday’s French National Championships road race in La Tour-du-Pin could represent his final opportunity to strengthen his case for selection. An exceptional performance may still influence the team’s plans, but current indications point towards his omission from the Tour squad.
The 2026 Tour de France begins in Barcelona on Saturday, July 4. Groupama-FDJ United is expected to place greater emphasis on stage victories and younger riders, with Romain Grégoire likely to assume a prominent role after winning Stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse.
With Gaudu still searching for form, his customary leadership role is no longer guaranteed.
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