Domestique has his day as Armirail claims unexpected Giro d'Italia lead

Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) celebrates taking over the Giro d'Italia race lead after stage 14
Bruno Armirail (Groupama-FDJ) celebrates taking over the Giro d'Italia race lead after stage 14 (Image credit: Tim de WaeleGetty Images)

On the eve of his Tour de France debut in 2021, Bruno Armirail was under no illusions about the place he occupied in the cosmos of a sport where lightyears have traditionally divided the stars from the water carriers.

"A cycling team is a bit like a factory: there's a hierarchy and if someone isn't made to be a boss, it's best that he never becomes one," Armirail told L'Équipe back then. "Me, I like my status as an équipier. I take a lot of pride in it."

Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan was Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.