During the end-of-year holidays, the sports editorial team of Le Figaro brings you a series on the “robbers” of the sports year, these personalities or entities not necessarily expected and who have been talked about in 2023. Today, the comments from the boss of Jumbo-Visma during the Tour de France.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, Tirreno-Adriatico, E3 Saxo Classic, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour of Italy, Critérium du Dauphiné, Tour de France, Tour of Spain…In 2023, Jumbo-Visma experienced a season exceptional. The “Wasps” have achieved many prestigious successes, both in stage races and in particular the three Grand Tours – impressive! –, only Flandrian classics from the beginning of the year. Despite these incredible results, the Dutch team has upset the cycling world, players and followers alike, and particularly in France. No doubt, a little, because of his ultra-domination in certain events, such as the Tour de France and the Tour of Spain. Above all, certainly, because of Richard Plugge, his manager.
Back last July, in the middle of the Tour de France. During an interview with L’Équipe, returning to the suspicions surrounding the performances of Jonas Vingegaard, the ex-journalist addresses a (more or less subtle) attack on French cycling, and more particularly on Groupama-FDJ…without however, clearly designate it. “We also look around us to see what others are doing. For example, we were with a French team (this is Groupama-FDJ, editor’s note) at our hotel during the rest day (Monday, the day before the time trial, editor’s note). We saw runners drinking large beers. Alcohol is poison, and especially when you are already tired, you will be even more tired,” he assures. Before continuing and driving the point home a little further: “At the start of the last week of the Tour, which is the most important, you have to be very careful about what you drink and eat. Nobody drank alcohol because it ruins you, and even people who aren’t runners shouldn’t drink it. So it’s a whole package. We can open our doors, answer all questions. But we also have to show the other side. Because it also explains part of the differences, not only in our favor, but to the disadvantage of others.
His words (logically) made Marc Madiot, the manager of the French team, jump: “It’s pathetic, pitiful, small, shameful. Let him shut his mouth. Let him shut the fuck up! On the day of rest there is traditionally a drink with the staff. The staff drank beers. But only Perrier runners, he assured Le Parisien. The next day, no one missed their time. Two days later I have four guys in the breakaway. I’m not going to stoop to calling him. I am beyond angry. In addition, I am sure that he is personally angry with me because we do not agree in the AIGCP (international association of professional cycling groups). Shabby, pitiful pitiful…”
Lousy? The word is (perhaps?) strong. Little ? It certainly is. With his accusations, Richard Plugge takes up the age-old theory according to which French teams work less, or less well, than their foreign counterparts. He insinuates somewhere that the difference in results between his structure and those from France, and elsewhere, is only found in a greater involvement, a boundless and flawless dedication of his runners… as if the defending elements the French training colors did not pay attention to their training plan, their sleep, their diet. This is to overlook the fact that the budgets, and therefore the means, are not (at all) the same. It is also, in a way, a real lack of elegance, perhaps even arrogance (“We work better than the others.”). We expect (much) something else from the boss of the best team in the peloton. We also expect (much) something else from the president of the International Association of Professional Cycling Groups. For 2024, we hope it has a little more class.
