I don't think that the '19 Giro suits him well, but the TdF does if AG2R can produce a solid TTT. Doing both is stupidity, but I can imagine that Bardet skips Le Tour due to not having recovered...and then goes for a Vuelta that should be more catering to his skills. Now that Pinot has committed for the TdF, Romain can play that game and not face a PR issue. The French will still have a GC iron in the fire.
Romain Bardet saw Thibaut Pinot very close to basically getting two GT podiums in'18, it opened new horizons, and I would guess created or reinforced the desire to explore, ride free...ASO recognizes that, they're scared to death that none of the two will show up in July. So put a stage in Brioude on THE holiday and a PDBF on steroids that Pinot will have scouted more than anybody else. For good measure.
Both Pinot and Bardet are being tricked, taken hostages by ASO. Like the design or not, but this '19 Tour was also made to corner them by appealing to their local fan bases, add pressure to participate. ASO is afraid, but also ruthless; put their fan base between Bardet, Pinot, and what they see as their best interest. The sponsors will do the rest.
Not personal...business.