David Gaudu’s 2022 Bike Size


This page focus on David Gaudu’s 2022 Bike Size as seen on the Tour de France 2022.
The French cyclist races the UCI World Tour with team Groupama – FDJ.
The rider from Brittany is one of the best French climbers able to finish in the top 5 of general classification on a grand tour.

You might also be interested in Groupama-FDJ Pro Cycling Team 2023.

Gaudu’s 2022 Bike Size

David Gaudu is 1m72 tall and rides the Lapierre Xelius SL3 size S.
The Lapierre Xelius SL3 size S corresponds to a size of 46cm if looking at the seat tube length, or 53cm if looking at the top tube length.
On its homepage, Lapierre recommends the size S to riders from 1m60 to 1m72.

sketch of David Gaudu's 2022 bike size
sketch of David Gaudu’s 2022 Lapierre Xelius SL3 size S

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The Fitting

Gaudu being just over the fence selected the smaller size as most pro riders do in this situation.
Like many climbers, Gaudu’s cockpit is relatively high with some 30mm spacers under the stem.
The one-piece bar stem combo of 130mm x 400mm is Lapierre’s proprietary.

David Gaudu’s Prologo Scratch TR Nac saddle position is at the maximum to the back.
Looking at Gaudu’s fitting it looks like he does exploit the S size frame to the maximum stretch: 25mm seat post setback, saddle position to the back, 130mm stem, and 30mm spacers under the stem.

Unfortunately, I do not have the information about the saddle position so I cannot document the height and distance up to the handlebar’s reach.

Stock Shimano

When you see Shimano’s logo on the chainstays of a pro bike it means Shimano is an official sponsor of the team.

As Shimano officially supplies the team Groupama – FDJ, Gaudu’s Lapierre Xelius SL3 is rolling with the complete Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12 speed, disc brake type.
The Dura-Ace groupset is therefore entirely stock, with no ceramic bearings.

Costless Marginal Gains

The wheels are the Shimano Dura-Ace C36 (WH-R9270-C36 TL+TU) fitted with Continental Competition Pro LTD tubulars in the mountain stages.
Interestingly, David Gaudu being a lightweight rider at 54kg, uses 140mm front and rear disc brakes rotors even in the mountain stages.
The technical reason is to avoid having the disc rotor wobble and touch the brake pads like the 160mm seems to often be doing. It is a costless marginal gain.

The standard chainrings on the new Shimano Dura-Ace 12 speed are 54-40 and the cassette is 11-30.
The GPS computer is the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus.

David Gaudu races the Tour de France 2022 with Sidi Wire 2 Carbon Air cycling shoes with Yellow Shimano cleats (SM-SH11) with 5 degrees of float. The crankset arms are 170mm, and the pedals are the Shimao SPD-SL.

Gaudu wears a Giro helmet, Julbo Pro Team sunglasses, Ale Jersey, bib-short, gloves, and socks.

David Gaudu’s Lapierre Xelius SL cost approximately US$ 9,200.

David Gaudu’s 2022 Bike Size post is a developing story, and I’ll update you as soon as more material information becomes available.

Do not hesitate to drop me a message on my Instagram if you have any comments regarding this bike.

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