What do we like when he talks to us like that. A few days before the start of the Grande Boucle, which will take place on Saturday in Bilbao, in the Spanish Basque Country, Thibaut Pinot announced the color for what will be his last Tour de France. In a recent interview given to several media, including The voice of the North, the Groupama-FDJ climber said he was excited at the idea of starting his 7th TDF. “I’ve known Tours where I didn’t want to go, and it wasn’t going well. There, I want, and when I’m motivated, generally, it goes well, announces the idol of the crowds. During each Grand Tour where I was in these arrangements, it worked well. »
The bad dispositions, as in 2017, when Pinot arrived on the roads of France rinsed after having competed in the Giro (4th place) and had to give up along the way. Same configuration this year since the Franc-Comtois ran in Italy (5th place and best climber’s jersey on his back), except that, this time, the boy still has some under the pedal and that his participation results from a personal choice. . “I had finished the Giro tired [en 2017], I didn’t necessarily want to go on the Tour, he remembers. I wanted to do the Vuelta, but team goals prevented me. In this case, we are not leaving for a good mood and this is verified on the ground. But we can’t compare because, this time, it’s really a personal will. »
“I wanted to finish being on top”
Personal desire both to win a stage, but also to serve its leader, David Gaudu, who is aiming for the general standings after finishing 4th in the last edition of the Tour de France. “We will say that at the start, the idea is to protect David, to help him go as high as possible, recalled Pinot. But we know the race. There will be openings, tactics that will be put in place. A Grand Tour is very long. If I can go ahead, it’s up to me to take my chance, but I’m concentrating first on surrounding David well. »
In his head, the idea is clear, it will above all be a question of having fun so as not to regret anything from this farewell tour. “There is more emotion, but it is good, concluded the 33-year-old runner. It’s not a bonus, but I kind of take it that way. I don’t have much to prove to anyone. I’m just trying to have fun. I reassembled on the Giro the rider that I was before my injury. It was important to me, and it allows me to be ready to turn the page soon. I wanted to finish on top, and that’s what’s happening this year. “Do you feel the chills coming too?