Teams & Riders Thibaut Pinot discussion thread

[geisterhome]

That was some insanely strong performance. It's incredible how strong he was the last two stages after fighting for the climbers jersey the entire race plus being in the breakaway the day before (plus another time before), both tough and hard fought stages, plus going with Healy 2 times early in the race.

 

[Gigs_98]

Yeah he didn't get a stage win, but honestly, KoM and a gc top five? This has been a great giro for Thibaut. His highest GT finish since the 2017 Giro which seems crazy to me

 

[movingtarget]

Pinot was one of the highlights of the race and the race needed those highlights..............

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Loved watching him in this Giro, with good legs and seeming to enjoy himself. Even the meltdown was part of the package, I'd rather see someone getting too emotional than the other way around and he clearly still had the desire for a win. In a race without too many lasting memories for me he stood out, hope he hangs around a bit longer.

 

[Rob5091]

Pinot was only slower behind Roglic on the climb, so overall I don't think Pinot could have wished for more at the Giro.

 

[staubsauger]

Pinot got what Cunego sadly was denied at the 2016 Giro d'Italia. Pinot was significantly stronger than the little prince that year though. Resulting in a 5th place at the general classification. You can't have everything. Pinot still has his stage win in Malbun at the 2022 Tour de Suisse, the queen stage actually!

 

[johnymax]

I was impressed by him in this Giro. He came up short for the stage win a couple of times, but his form was better than I had imagined before the start of the race. Maglia azzura and a GC top5, great results for his last Giro. Bravo, Tibo, bravo!

 

[Tonton]

I had to wait and see the closing ceremony to be sure that he made it...

There were flashes and two nice wins last year, yet the comeback wasn't complete. Not as it relates to the three-week thing, the repeated heartbreaks. I'm so happy for Thibaut Pinot. Great Giro!

Le Tour? That wasn't the plan but when Gaudu is in l'Equipe asking for him, the guy who sacrificed his chances for Alaf' will answer the call.

The Thibaut Pinot that we saw can exit the scene in Lombardia with a dramatic win or a dramatic loss (to Pogacar I would guess) and close the loop. Leave on top or close to it, with goodbye fireworks. Plenty of them.

Tre Valli: that one will close the loop too.

 

[RedheadDane]

The Thibaut Pinot that we saw can exit the scene in Lombardia with a dramatic win or a dramatic loss (to Pogacar I would guess) and close the loop. Leave on top or close to it, with goodbye fireworks. Plenty of them.

Or help Gaudu to a dramatic win! As you said; he likes Gaudu, and it would be a great way of "passing the torch".

Great article about having finished his final Giro on a high note:

A successful Giro and beautiful farewells

On Sunday, Thibaut Pinot said goodbye to the Giro d’Italia in an iconic setting, a stone's throw from the Colosseum. But most importantly, the 33-year-old

www.equipecycliste-groupama-fdj.fr

This quote in particular hits home:

The last image people had of me on the Giro was my abandon the day before Rome in 2018.

Now, perhaps, this will be the last image people have of him in the Giro:

Now, time to celebrate a Giro well-done, and a happy birthday!

 

[titan31]

Could probably target a stage at the Tour, even in support of Gaudu. Hope he does all 3 GTs tbh since it's his last year and if his form holds.

 

[RedheadDane]

(1)Could probably target a stage at the Tour, even in support of Gaudu. (2)Hope he does all 3 GTs tbh since it's his last year and if his form holds.

1. I think that was the plan last year. Then he didn't get a stage win, and got all mad he had wasted energy stagehunting, rather than helping Gaudu.

2. Could be great.

 

[titan31]

1. I think that was the plan. Then he didn't get a stage win, and got all mad he had wasted energy stagehunting, rather than helpinh Gaudu.

2. Could be great.

I think he would only get 1 or 2 opportunities. Possibly 6/9 or one of the 13-15 block

 

[Rob5091]

If Pinot does the Tour as domestique for Gaudu then he'll have no chance of a stage win, unless Gaudu abandons or loses a lot of time.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Finished high in GC, coming really close to two stage wins and winning the King of the Mountains classification. This has to count as success. He looked fresh on the bike. I am sure that at Tour he will target a stage win.

 

[staubsauger]

I'd go to the Vuelta a Espana and target stage wins & another mountains jersey. Countless stages from the Pyrenees until the Sierra de Guaderama where he can get a win and collect points.

Better than go to the Tour de France tuckered out from the Giro d'Italia, not at your best. Just don't do that. I know the temptation is there. But it's wrong most likely.

 

[dominikk85]

If Pinot does the Tour as domestique for Gaudu then he'll have no chance of a stage win, unless Gaudu abandons or loses a lot of time.

I think he still would have a chance in the last week unless Gaudu is very strong and has a chance to finish top5.

If Gaudu is more like back end of top10 after two weeks which I expect then pinot might get a chance or two to go for a stage in the last week

 

[RedheadDane]

I'd go to the Vuelta a Espana and target stage wins & another mountains jersey. Countless stages from the Pyrenees until the Sierra de Guaderama where he can get a win and collect points.

Better than go to the Tour de France tuckered out from the Giro d'Italia, not at your best. Just don't do that. I know the temptation is there. But it's wrong most likely.

I suppose you're right. It's just... Pinot in the Tour has potential for a lot of greatness. It also has potential for a lot of heartbreak, but... that's part of the deal from being a fan of this guy, I guess.

In my opinion, the worst thing that could happen would be if he went to the Tour, and was forced to pull out. He didn't want people's last image of him in the Giro to be him pulling out, I would imagine that's even more the case for the Tour.
Otoh, the best thing that could happen would be if he went to the Tour, and was able to play the same role for Gaudu, as Gaudu played for him in 2019.

 

[staubsauger]

I suppose you're right. It's just... Pinot in the Tour has potential for a lot of greatness. It also has potential for a lot of heartbreak, but... that's part of the deal from being a fan of this guy, I guess.

In my opinion, the worst thing that could happen would be if he went to the Tour, and was forced to pull out. He didn't want people's last image of him in the Giro to be him pulling out, I would imagine that's even more the case for the Tour.
Otoh, the best thing that could happen would be if he went to the Tour, and was able to play the same role for Gaudu, as Gaudu played for him in 2019.

Frankly, I just took Moncoutie as a reference and there it was a very bad idea in 2012!

 

[RedheadDane]

Frankly, I just took Moncoutie as a reference and there it was a very bad idea in 2012!

Wasn't too great an idea for Pinot himself in 2017 either...

 

[pastronef]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1664662642592567297

View: https://twitter.com/bvittek/status/1664662642592567297


Gaudu: I have my own opinion about Pinot to the TDF but I'll keep it to myself

well I'd want Pinot to the TDF even just for the internal team games now

 

[Panda Claws]

Way to keep your opinion to yourself...

 

[RedheadDane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1664662642592567297

View: https://twitter.com/bvittek/status/1664662642592567297


Gaudu: I have my own opinion about Pinot to the TDF but I'll keep it to myself

well I'd want Pinot to the TDF even just for the internal team games now

I suppose it can't be worse than his opinion regarding Demare in TDF...

 

[Samu Cuenca]

FDJ should send Gaudu to the Tour without any teammates. They will save a fortune on fuel by only having to use one car.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Gaudu really comes off as a little crybaby. It's not like FDJ can bring a lot of other climbers to support him.

 

[Sciatic]

Gaudu really comes off as a little crybaby. It's not like FDJ can bring a lot of other climbers to support him.

They did really well supporting him (several times bringing him back toward the lead groups) on the lower and mid- slopes of climbs last Tour. But no one who could be there in the elite group in high mountains. But for the “outsiders” in this coming Tour, they will just depend on following Jumbo or UAE when one of those teams is chasing the other. Obviously there are still drawbacks to being isolated at that point.