Quite a few riders had to deal with that especially French riders that were often singled out as the next Tour winner etc........often those claims were not based on reality or results. Pinot only got his podium cause Contador and Froome dropped out, not that he didn't deserve his result. There are always hard luck stories even for the best riders. Some used to say that French riders on French teams were soft because they were pampered and indulged, maybe not so much now. I think Pinot struggled with the three week racing format with a few exceptions like his podium and the two Giro results but his completion record is poor. Not sure he had the physical constitution to regularly do well in three week races. In the third weeks he often got sick or had back problems or issues with the heat and when he crashed that just made it even harder for him physically. Maybe his character had something to do with it. But its only a small group of riders that can regularly hit the podium or top five in grand tours and many winners are multiple winners. No doubt the stresses of three week racing especially as a team captain are gruelling.