Bardet & Pinot: The Great French Hope(s)

[mr. tibbs]

Romain Bardet, 23
1.85 m / 6' 1"
67 kg / 148 lbs
2013 Tour: 15th

Thibaut Pinot, 24
1.80 m / 5' 11"
63 kg / 139 lbs
2013 Tour: 10th [EDIT: WD in 2013, but finished 10th in 2012. Thanks for catching that, Hugo. ]

They're young, they're French, and they're giving us something to watch besides the Nibali parade at the Tour this year. They also show more GC promise than Rolland (who we can all agree has turned into a truly exciting GT animator), with impressive results in one-day, stage, and grand tour events.

With Froome and Contador in the race, they'd probably both be top-ten material, but circumstances have given one or both of them the chance to actually podium. We can only assume that the French housewives are already jumping queue from the Tommy V bandwagon--let's follow suit!

 

[fantomas]

They are both really entertaining to watch, so yeah, let's celebrate them. The Great French Hopes. Not that either of them will ever win the French tour, but we might expect a great show between them for the podium. Aggressive climbers both, and that's worth quite a lot.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Is it wrong to hope Froome, Nibali, Valverde and Contador will focus on other things besides the TdF moving forward?

I think the French has reasons to be excited and not just because of these two youngsters.

My money is on Bardet to finish higher this year.

 

[jens_attacks]

the french cobra, bardet!!

 

[gunara]

The French looks stronger and stronger on all front, not only climber, one minor downside is strong French contenders in a race never exceed the number of participating French teams.

 

[roundabout]

I am still somewhat unconvinced by Bardet in the high mountains

 

[Netserk]

the french cobra, bardet!!

I also see the same when I look at his face. Cobra 2.0

 

[VeloHuman]

Pinot's looked a lot better in the time trial this year as well. Could help him nab a podium spot over the less chrono-inclined Bardet.

 

[Escarabajo]

They need to improve if they want to win a GT. In the old times we would know by this time if they are GT winner material. We don't know that with them.

 

[the asian]

I thought Bardet was more of a hilly classics rider but he has really impressed me this Tour.
Today's stage showed that he can make it on really long mountains more suited to the Diesel's.

Pinot was always a great climber, the doubt was about his descending ability.

Should be Tour podium material for years' to come.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Bardet seems rather explosive (?) future Vuelta winner perhaps?
Must improve tt to be a contender in the tour for sure

 

[Broth3r]

...I read a different title.

 

[Christian]

Pinot was awesome today...
Bardet got talent oozing from all pores...
Old J-C Peraud in top-10...
Even Gadret is still alive and putting the hurt on...
Great victory by Kadri a few days ago...

Really happy for the French that they are finally doing so well again at the Tour. Now a victory by Demare or Coquard to top it off, and it would be a truly perfect Tour for them.

Then it's on to the Vuelta and the Warren Barguil show!

 

[BYOP88]

I thought Bardet was more of a hilly classics rider but he has really impressed me this Tour.
Today's stage showed that he can make it on really long mountains more suited to the Diesel's.

Pinot was always a great climber, the doubt was about his descending ability.

Should be Tour podium material for years' to come.

Not if he signs with Sky, unless Sky are planning to get rid of some of their GC guys.

 

[Warhawk]

Pinot was awesome today...
Bardet got talent oozing from all pores...
Old J-C Peraud in top-10...
Even Gadret is still alive and putting the hurt on...
Great victory by Kadri a few days ago...

Really happy for the French that they are finally doing so well again at the Tour. Now a victory by Demare or Coquard to top it off, and it would be a truly perfect Tour for them.

Then it's on to the Vuelta and the Warren Barguil show!

All that and you didn't mention Tony Gallopin? Shame on you.

 

[manafana]

both got great talents surely a vuelta or giro in them if they go for it.

 

[cineteq]

Watched Pinot & Bardet's interviews today. Pinot was all over the place, Bardet was short and clear. Guess who has more chance of being the The Great French Hope?

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Watched Pinot & Bardet's interviews today. Pinot was all over the place, Bardet was short and clear. Guess who has more chance of being the The Great French Hope?

Yeh it's Bardet all the way. Looked so in the zone today.

To be honest I had written Pinot off last year so really thrilled he has got it back together.

As mentioned in another thread, i sincerely hope we see a Frenchman on the podium this year.

I hope it's Bardet

 

[Sciocco]

both got great talents surely a vuelta or giro in them if they go for it.

I agree! Sadly, the expectations set on them by french media will likely make them TdF regulars, which SUCKS. I can see both excelling in the Giro especially.

Yeh it's Bardet all the way. Looked so in the zone today.

To be honest I had written Pinot off last year so really thrilled he has got it back together.

As mentioned in another thread, i sincerely hope we see a Frenchman on the podium this year.

I hope it's Bardet

Me too. I am becoming more and more a fan.

 

[alspacka]

I've inexplicably become a big fan of Pinot.
A little off topic but I'm delighted to see JC Peraud riding well. He'll smash the TT on this form.
Also, what the hell's happened to Warren Barguil this year? I've barely even noticed him. Presumably he'll ride the Vuelta, anyone get any expectations for him?

 

[thehog]

Why can't this thread be called; the French Renaissance?

 

[Afrank]

Also, what the hell's happened to Warren Barguil this year? I've barely even noticed him. Presumably he'll ride the Vuelta, anyone get any expectations for him?

He's had a few decent rides; 9th overall at the Volta, 8th at Strade Bianche, I remember seeing him in a few other breakaways and doing some good rides.

He wanted to do the Tour this year but Giant didn't select him for the team. Will probably do the Vuelta, so watch for him there.

 

[Afrank]

Very happy to see Pinot making a comeback after the problems he had with descending.

And Bardet, I liked him before, but I'm starting to like him more and more. Hope he can hold onto his podium spot. Think that would be pretty cool to see him make the podium.

 

[cineteq]

Why can't this thread be called; the French Renaissance?

Oh la la, mais oui!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Bardet crossing the line half dead: