Groupama-FDJ director Marc Madiot expects the unexpected in the compressed 2020 road season, which finally begins on August 1. An outspoken Frenchman, he says his team is prepared to make the most of less than ideal scenarios.

With the race starting at Strade Bianche on August 1, there is little time to race before the Tour de France on August 29.

"The season is short and tight, so there will be no catch-up sessions. We need to be as prepared as possible to take on the end of the season in good condition; we may not be 100% from August 1, but we have to be ready overall," Madio said in a team interview.

"Everything can never be perfect. There will inevitably be some glitches in terms of organization and calendar, some events that are a little bit not as good in terms of participants, some races that don't unfold exactly the same way as in the past, ...... But all that is not a big problem."

"You have to look on the bright side of things. Life has started again, the race has started again, we have not given up and we are back in the race. This is how I personally try to live in the moment."

While even the WorldTour's largest teams will struggle to assemble riders, equipment, and staff for the numerous overlapping events, creating a logistical headache, Madio saw the bright side of Paris-Roubaix, the Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a España all overlapping on October 25, he looked on the bright side.

"It will be a 'super Sunday' for cycling. Imagine a cycling fan. He would almost have to have three screens at home ...... Though some scheduling would be done so that he could see as much as possible.

"I even think there should be some special communication on days like this. Kind of like an England soccer match at Christmas. As for the logistics, we'll figure it out. Even if the logistics were not exactly the same as usual, it would not be a catastrophe. Anyway, I want to live this day.

As a French team, Madiot said he is obligated to participate in French races outside the World Tour. 'We will participate in as many races as possible with the maximum number of people. Whenever possible, I will participate in as many races as possible." Even if there are times when his schedule becomes very busy.

Madio said the early August races are the same for all riders, who will be racing in high-profile World Tour one-day races with no competition.

"Preparation will be a little slow, to say the least. But we'll just have to make it work. The race calendar will be what it will be. It's not ideal anyway, but the most important thing is that the races take place and that we, the Groupama-FDJ cycling team, can participate in as many races as possible."

In the upside down season, with the Tour de France taking place after the peak of the holiday season, Madio said he expects fewer fans to line the roads, but the important thing is that the race takes place and goes well.

"The main thing about this time of year is that we can have races and find events that are as close to what we are used to as possible. Everyone will be happy to be able to watch the race again, just as we are happy to be able to watch a soccer game again. If there are a few less people than usual, it won't be a big problem. Anyway, I think those who are not on the road will be watching the stage finishes in front of their TVs. This will make up for that."

Madio said he is interested in the development of the first classics to be held after the Tour de France. As for the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España in the fall, he said he trusts the organizers to do the right thing, although the weather is a question mark.

"The organizers have always adapted to the conditions, especially the weather. This time will be no different. Frankly, I am not worried about this or the route. Those in charge will adjust the course as needed. For us, this new schedule is inevitably misdirected, but at the same time it is curious and not too unpleasant. In any case, it will be difficult to handle the Tour and the Giro. The Tour and Vuelta would be fine. We will have to consider it in detail when the whole calendar is definitively approved."