Aksel Kryhlmand
He will not participate in either the individual time trial on Thursday or the road race on Sunday, according to a statement from the team on social media.
Groupama-FDJ is facing a serious setback
The French team’s preparations have been rocked by two major developments, a crash involving Swiss powerhouse Stefan Küng and the sudden withdrawal of team leader David Gaudu.
Stefan Küng Injured During Training Crash
Stefan Küng suffered a crash during a training ride on Wednesday, forcing him out of the Swiss National Championships. He will not participate in either the individual time trial on Thursday or the road race on Sunday, according to a statement from the team on social media.
Tour de France Participation in Doubt for Küng
While Groupama-FDJ has not confirmed the full extent of Küng’s injuries, his participation in the Tour de France is now in serious doubt. As one of the team’s most reliable riders in time trials and flat stages, his potential absence would be a major loss.
David Gaudu Officially Withdraws from Tour de France
In a separate blow, David Gaudu announced he will not take part in the 2025 Tour de France. Speaking to AFP, the French climber cited his current form as the reason for the decision, stating he had been transparent with the team about his performance data and physical condition.
Honest Assessment Leads to Gaudu’s Decision
“To commit to the Tour, you need to be at 100% for three intense weeks,” Gaudu said. “Despite my efforts since the Giro, I haven’t found the energy or condition required. The team and I had an honest conversation and decided together that I would skip this year’s Tour.”
Disappointing Giro Performance Still Lingers
Gaudu’s decision comes after a lackluster showing in the Giro d’Italia earlier this season. The effort he expended there, combined with inadequate recovery, appears to have left him unable to reach the peak fitness needed for the Tour.
Looking Ahead to the Vuelta a España
While this year’s Tour is off the table, Gaudu is already shifting focus to the second half of the season. He plans to start fresh with an eye on the Vuelta a España, aiming for a strong comeback. “Sometimes you have to let go to come back stronger,” he reflected.
Team Faces Strategic Shake-Up
With two of their key riders sidelined, Groupama-FDJ is likely to reassess its strategy for the Tour. The team may now have to rely more heavily on its younger talent or secondary leaders to carry the mantle in France’s biggest race.
