Yvon Madio, sporting director of Groupama-FDJ, said that although the team won many races in 2021, the Tour de France was a season of disappointment, with average results and no Grand Tour wins.

Looking back on the year, Madio gave the team's performance a score of 6 out of 10, saying that despite 24 wins, it did not deserve a score slightly higher than a passing grade because it was a season that left him feeling that something was missing.

"Whether it's the Tour or the classics, ...... Maybe what we lack is victory," Madio said in an interview posted on the team's website.

"Maybe a stage win in the Tour would have made us think a little differently. We feel we have unfinished business. It's frustrating."

"It's clear to me. There are clear failures. The tool is one of them. We expected a lot and thought we were a team that could win on a lot of terrain.

Groupama-FDJ once had Tour de France leader Thibaut Pinot, but this year he suffered a back injury sustained in the 2020 race.

Therefore, the team went into its home Grand Tour with David Gaudoux at the helm of GC and Arnaud Demaret chasing a sprint victory. Demare crashed on the first sprint stage on day 3 and left the race on stage 9 after failing to cut time. Gordou finished outside the top 10 in 11th place.

The team's best result in the Tour came from Stéphane Cung in the time trial on stage 5, with European champion Cung finishing second after being upset at the last minute by eventual winner Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates).

And at the Vuelta a España, second place was again the best result for the team, despite a near-miss by Demare on stage 4.

"In the end it's the details," Madio said.

"We are missing this memorable victory. This memorable victory is also what keeps us going through the winter in peace. We don't have it, so we will spend the winter with a feeling of revenge and self-doubt."

"I don't tell myself, 'Tomorrow will be better. No, it just wasn't what I expected, and I'm going to work hard to make sure it doesn't happen again and that it improves quickly next year."

However, with DeMare winning nine races and Kühn, the team's "driving force," also winning with consistency, Gaudo's level of performance also improved.

The 25-year-old French rider's victories included a stage win in Ituria-Basque, another podium finish in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and fourth place on stage 17 of the Tour de France.

Madiou said of Gaudoux, "He is gradually having his best season. He's been really consistent and has given us visibility all year."

The team is also looking forward to the development of young riders like British rider Jake Stewart, who finished second in the Omloop Het Niusbrod, as well as a new pipeline of hope in the Continental team. In addition, Madio said that Pinot's return should not only benefit the results, but also his motivation for 2022.

"Our leaders continue to improve and we have one back ...... Therefore, we should be in a more comfortable position next year."