In the event you’re travelling to the Tour de France this July, and in want of a eating companion, Groupama FDJ’s supervisor Marc Madiot is offered, at a worth.
The French group is operating plenty of auctions throughout this yr’s race, providing race-worn jerseys, signed dossard numbers, and an eye catching flagship lot – a dinner with Madiot.
The winner will spend a night on the squad’s resort with the group supervisor, “in direct proximity to the riders”, and also will obtain a tour of the group’s bus.
Talking to Biking Weekly, Madiot defined that he has already hosted comparable experiences twice earlier than. Does he like doing it? “Sure,” he stated. “Not daily, however each once in a while it is not unhealthy.”
Final yr, the Frenchman remembers, he and the fortunate winner “spent the night in a pleasant Parisian restaurant”. The meal this time spherical will happen in Nîmes, on the night of stage 16, and the winner shall be allowed to convey a visitor.
Throughout final yr’s Tour, Groupama-FDJ’s mealtimes have been drawn into controversy, when Jumbo-Visma supervisor Richard Plugge claimed he noticed “a French group” consuming “huge beers” on the remainder day of their resort. Groupama-FDJ have been understood to be the one French squad staying in the identical place.
“Alcohol is poison,” Plugge stated, “and when you’re already drained, it will make you much more fatigued.”
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Madiot later responded to the feedback, calling them “shabby”, and saying he “did not give a rattling about what he [Plugge] says.” He additionally corrected his Jumbo-Visma counterpart, including that his riders have been really consuming Perrier water.
On the finish of the race in Paris, Madiot mocked the trade, holding a fan signal that learn ‘a little bit beer for Jumbo’. He instructed Biking Weekly that the winner of the most recent public sale will obtain the identical hospitality.
“There’s all the time a beer for the winner,” he smiled. “And, after all, there’s all the time wine.”
The lot is presently dwell on the web site of on-line public sale home Catawiki, with the very best bid at €450 (£381). It closes this Sunday 7 July.
The positioning can also be providing two additional experiences with Madiot, every comprising a “day on the coronary heart of the Tour de France” alongside the Frenchman in his pre-race automotive. One of many tons is for stage 12, between Aurillac and Villeneuve-sur-Lot, and the opposite for stage 16 to Nîmes.
To bid on the tons, and win an opportunity to share a bottle of wine with Madiot, go to the Catawiki web site.
