Fifth in the Tour de Romandie, Thibaut Pinot has been surfing on a great dynamic in recent weeks. Obviously promising as the Tour of Italy approaches, where the Frenchman will be leader of Groupama-FDJ.
“The record is good. » It is a rather satisfied Thibaut Pinot who leaves Switzerland, heading for Italy. The Frenchman from Groupama-FDJ has just taken part in the Tour de Romandie, a preparation event for the Tour of Italy. The French climber takes fifth place in the final general classification, after having played for victory to the end on the queen stage, at the top of Thyon 2000. “We came for that. We were hoping for a top 10, or even a top 5 with Lenny or myself. We leave with a top 5. It’s a good week for the team. I had good feelings over the last weekend, and that’s what I remember. »
Sensations found in the high mountains
Feelings confirmed when Thibaut Pinot was one of the few to be able to compete with Adam Yates, leader of the UAE Team Emirates and winner of this Tour de Romandie. The Briton will also be one of the very serious outsiders for the Giro. For the Tour of Italy, which begins this Saturday, Thibaut Pinot does not yet know what he can aim for. But a stage victory seems to be the priority objective, especially as confidence is there. “I had to confirm certain points, in terms of sensations and results. It’s been a long time since I’ve played for the win on a mountain stage in the WorldTour, and it was important to do so before the Giro. There is a little disappointment with the time, because the podium could have been possible, but I will be satisfied with that. »
A leader status on the Giro
A Tour of Italy which will be the last for Thibaut Pinot, he who will bow out at the end of the season. Fourth in 2017 by winning a stage, the leader of Groupama-FDJ has always maintained a special emotional relationship with the races contested on the other side of the Alps. The one who had raised his arms on the Tour of Lombardy 2018 is now “al dente” for a Giro which promises to be spectacular.
