After his first victory among the professionals, Valentin Madouas is full of confidence and aims higher.
Having become French champion on Sunday, the best victory of his career, Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) still “hard to do“but already claims to want”win at the World Tour level“, if possible from the Tour which starts on Saturday.
How does it feel to approach the Tour as champion of France?
“I find it difficult to realize it, we will see it on the Tour quickly. Now you have to recover well, it’s easier when you win. Mentally, we will be able to be in good shape and we will do great things on the Tour. I had already been (champion of France) as an amateur but it’s clear that with the pros, it’s something else again. I think we will see it at the start of the Tour, very quickly. That’s when I think I’ll realize… I had those championships ticked off in my head.”
Read alsoCycling: after a solo number, Valentin Madouas offers himself the title of champion of France
On the last climb, what are you thinking?
“I think about enjoying the atmosphere, because frankly, I was really not going fast. I saw the public parading very slowly next to me, I was eager for the climb to end anyway. It was a great moment because everyone was really excited, there was a really particular enthusiasm for this championship. Now I have to manage to win at the World Tour level, I hope to do it on the Tour this year, I feel in good condition. A big goal of my season, and even of my career, was to be champion of France. I was probably missing this victory to be able to trigger something. I was placed a lot, I knew it was going to do it at some point. You just had to wait, be patient, and it did in this championship.