Rudy Molard on home soil

Breakaway rider Rudy Molard (FDJ) is the enfant du pays today, although he was born near Lyon and lives in Antibes on the Côte d'Azur. He grew up in the Hautes-Alpes and spend a lot of time with his dad who lives in Briançon. At the age of 14, he join the sport-school of Barcelonnette to become a skier. He was junior world champion for snowy triathlon (running, MTB and cross-country skiing) in 2008. “I didn't have the level for turning pro so I tried cycling like my dad”, Molard told Le Dauphiné newspaper. “Training around here is always hard. This is where I've dreamt of riding the Tour de France one day.” He first did it for Cofidis four years ago when the Tour included a thrilling time trial from Embrun (tomorrow's starting town) to Chroges, won by Chris Froome. Molard has been sick and treated by antibiotics in the second week of the Tour. He's one of the three FDJ riders left in the Tour along with Davide Cimolai and Olivier Le Gac.