How do you feel after this first week of racing?
It’s going quite well. I was still quite expecting this rest day because our first day without a race was a transfer day with the trip from Hungary to Sicily. And it’s true that I was looking forward to it, but otherwise the legs respond well, so it’s really great.
What are your impressions after ten days on the Giro d’Italia? All this organization around a Giro compared to the other races of the season.
What is impressive in terms of organization is that we are moving up a notch, in terms of infrastructure, the presentation of the riders each day. And then the public who responds present. It’s true that I was lucky enough to be able to be a spectator on the Tour de France several times when I was younger. And now, experience it on the bike! I can feel what I felt as a spectator but now on the bike with the world on the side of the road. It’s always surprising to see all these people applauding us and supporting us in our efforts. Because doing it every day is not easy and it’s true that the public helps us do it.
You have two victories within the team, two victories in which you really participated in a personal way. So you share them with Arnaud Démare?
Yes, completely. The whole team. The two victories have different flavors because it didn’t happen the same way. For the first one (Wednesday, May 11), it was a crazy race from start to finish, with the pass in the middle where we really had to chase behind by doing the descent at full speed. We really all ran together. I am convinced that the victory was achieved there, we remained united. It’s really the saying “cycling is an individual sport but it is done as a team”. And there, clearly it was. Arnaud (Démare) answered present, he is in very good shape and behind us we follow and suddenly the team is at the top level so it’s great.
Clément Davy, a year ago, you were on the Boucles de la Mayenne with Arnaud Démare (with three stage successes and the general classification). A year later, you’re both on one of the greatest races in the world and the success is still there.
Yes, that’s for sure, but that’s still another level. On a Grand Tour, I am told that I am quite lucky. Not all great tricks happen like this. To start like that is great. But now we want more. Arnaud has the cyclamen jersey (from the points classification), so we have this jersey to protect. And then we hope to win other victories.
How do you feel on the mountain stages?
It really is discovery. It’s still very very tiring because there is really a high level on the Giro every day. It’s a struggle to take the breakaway and for us, it’s quite complicated as soon as the terrain rises, because it’s not our profile at all. So we hang on. In the mountains, I can’t wait for the grupetto to form and for me to be in it. And then it’s management. But it’s true that every evening on the mountain stages, you end up really tired. And then afterwards, you have to recover quickly, but it’s discovery.
Exactly, the discovery also for you Clément Davy, these are the three weeks of racing. With the recovery that is important. Do you have the impression of diving into the unknown from the second week?
Ah yes, completely, I am in the unknown. The longest I have done is eight days of racing on the baby Giro and otherwise seven days on the tours of Normandy, Brittany and Poland. So obviously, there is the complete discovery because it goes fast every day. At each stage, I know how I start the day, but I don’t know how I will end it at each stage. Afterwards, when the profile suits me, it’s quite simple but as soon as there is relief, it’s complicated and I struggle. It’s in these slightly more complicated moments that I think back to Arnaud’s two victories, to the team’s two victories so that we can win others afterwards.
What is your relationship with Arnaud Démare? You were very young when he started winning his first races at the highest level.
Of course, my view of him has changed. I followed Arnaud on television with admiring eyes. Now I have discovered an Arnaud other than the cyclist. That’s also what I really appreciate about him. Yes, he has his track record, but I really appreciate the character. We have a good feeling, whether on the bike or off. And the whole sprint group, we really have a good cohesion apart from the bike and that’s what makes us strong. My vision has changed. Now I’m with them and we’re writing the history of the team together and it’s great for me personally to be part of it. I am proud to be part of this team and even more of the eight riders of this Giro.