Still not quite as far behind Breton Wout Van Aert, Valentin Maduas is one of the most consistent and versatile riders of the 2022 season. He has shown his ability on the cobblestones of Flanders and Roubaix, the steep slopes of the Ardennes, and the high mountains of the Tour de France... [The Groupama-FDJ rider played a key supporting role for David Gaudoux, finishing 10th overall. It was a breakthrough year for the versatile 26-year-old.

"I was able to actually get results at the World Tour level, where the big leaders and champions are competing in the top races. I was able to get results at the World Tour level. It changed my status, it was a milestone," he told Le Télégramme magazine.

After challenging the Belgian WorldTour cobbled race, he finished third in the Tour de Flanders. After being separated from the leaders Mathieu van der Pol and Tadej Pogachar in Paterberg, Maduas and Dylan van Baar (Ineos Grenadiers) caught up with them as the sprint competition began.

"For a second I thought [about winning]," he recalled of the frenetic finale. "I saw a helicopter overhead and I was going 20 kilometers per hour faster than I should have been. I went ahead, but my legs immediately reminded me that I wasn't fresh, that I was completely dead. [This was France's second podium finish this century, after Sylvain Chavanel was runner-up in 2011.

Madouas had been targeting this race since the beginning of the season. Asked to choose between winning the Tour de Flanders or a stage victory in the Tour de France, his love for the great Belgian race was clear. For a cyclist, winning the Tour de Flanders is a step up," he said.

Maduas came close to both goals this year. In the Tour de France, he finished second from a breakaway group on stage 16, with Hugo Huret (Israel-Premier Tech) winning on the Foix.

Madouas, however, showed his endurance throughout the race as the right-hand man of David Gaudou, who finished fourth. Maduas became Gaudo's pacemaker on the final mountain stage to Peyragudo, outpacing challenger Nairo Quintana.

Groupama-FDJ's overall result is with Maduas. Did Maduas, who finished 10th overall, see more potential as Gaudo's workhorse?

"Yes and no. Personally, I felt that I was capable of that. I feel I made progress in quite a few areas. I did a lot of specific preparation at high altitude, which I lacked before. I was there every day and to be able to do that at this level was perhaps surprising."

Meanwhile, Nairo Quintana's disqualification for a positive tramadol was upheld by CAS in early November, moving Maduas belatedly into 10th place overall.

What does this result change for his career? I really believe now that I can do it. So I've reached a milestone."

"I prepared well for the race, but I didn't do everything I could. There are a lot of little things that I can improve on for years to come."

Maduas, who has been near the top of the podium throughout 2022, made a spectacular breakthrough in September, taking stage and overall wins at the Tour du Dubs and Skoda Tour Luxembourg in two weeks

. Maduas will share the Groupama-FDJ leadership with Stéphane Küng in next year's spring classics, and after the 2023 season, the team will face offers from other teams for an all-rounder.

Emmanuel Hubert, general manager of Arkea Samsic, professed his interest in Maduas to Le Télégramme last month: "If I have the chance to sign him, I will not deprive myself.

"I know him well. The Breton team wants a Breton rider," said Maduas, who indicated that there is a contractual option to sign a second year with Groupama-FDJ in 2024. 'There are a lot of parameters to consider. A decision will be made at that time and I will make it clear to all [parties]."