Teams & Riders Thibaut Pinot discussion thread

Page 152 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Jul 28, 2019
614
372
5,680
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.
 
Sep 22, 2020
1,035
2,096
8,680
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.
 
Jul 27, 2009
6,612
2,506
23,180
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!
 
May 17, 2013
7,559
2,414
20,680
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.
 
May 5, 2010
51,719
30,275
28,180
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! :D 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:


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:

DSC_2386-2048x1367.jpg


Now, time to celebrate a Giro well-done, and a happy birthday! :shortcake:
 
Last edited:
May 5, 2010
51,719
30,275
28,180
(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.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Tonton and SHAD0W93
Jul 13, 2012
3,789
3,988
19,180
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
 
Apr 8, 2023
5,629
6,566
16,180
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

BANNED
May 29, 2019
11,210
11,702
23,180
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.
 
Jul 27, 2009
6,612
2,506
23,180
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.
 
Last edited:
  • Love
Reactions: Tonton
May 31, 2023
34
26
130
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
 
May 5, 2010
51,719
30,275
28,180
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.
 
Jul 27, 2009
6,612
2,506
23,180
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!
 
Mar 4, 2011
8,447
11,174
23,180
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.