Teams & Riders Thibaut Pinot discussion thread

[Simurgh]

Good comeback at the very end, reducing the gap between him and Thomas - a good day overall with pacesetting at the last kms, even though I hoped that he wouldn't lose time to the INEOS-leader, who turned out to be Geraint. I am not bothered by that anyway!

 

[Red Rick]

Don't do this to me Thibaut.

Do not give me hope only to take it all away

 

[LaFlorecita]

He timed it well. Of course I hoped for more but he looked good. Also Gaudu looked great, which is good news for Pinot.

 

[Simurgh]

Thinking about it, he was actually best of everyone, people expected to be up there - I say that, because people (me included, even though I always had him as 1st favorite to win the Tour) didn't seem to expect Thomas to do this well here.

 

[Forever The Best]

The only positive about todays stage along with Ciccone.

 

[JosephK]

He looked great today. A final podium spot is a possibility, I think.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

If only this guy had a decent TT he would have a great chance. Hoping he can sneak onto the podium.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Re:

If only this guy had a decent TT he would have a great chance. Hoping he can sneak onto the podium.

He did in 2017.

 

[JosephK]

Re: Re:

If only this guy had a decent TT he would have a great chance. Hoping he can sneak onto the podium.

He did in 2017.

I think it was in 2014 when Pinot reached the podium, yes?

 

[Rollthedice]

The only hope left for human race in the fight against the Evil Empire. But then he's talking like this: "I like my life as it is at the moment. It's the life I dreamt of and if I win the Tour de France, I won't have this life anymore. Do I want to change my life? No."

 

[LaFlorecita]

You can win the Tour and then return to your goats and donkeys Tibo...

If anyone can stay humble it's him and on his farm in the middle of nowhere he won't have to worry about unwanted attention

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

You can win the Tour and then return to your goats and donkeys Tibo...

If anyone can stay humble it's him and on his farm in the middle of nowhere he won't have to worry about unwanted attention

He could become the long-awaited successor of Bernard Hinault, basically Jesus. Of course he'll have to worry about unwanted attention.

 

[JosephK]

Re:

The only hope left for human race in the fight against the Evil Empire. But then he's talking like this: "I like my life as it is at the moment. It's the life I dreamt of and if I win the Tour de France, I won't have this life anymore. Do I want to change my life? No."

I'm with you in your sentiments (hoping for Pinot). But we have to be realistic here and review the history of the TDF since 2012. Aside from the year when Froome crashed out (2014), Sky/Ineos has won the Tour easily every year since 2012 with whomever they've decided is their leader. It was never in doubt. Every win has been dominant.

I'm okay with Pinot being happy with his life if he is not the TDF champion. I expect he will turn himself inside out to win this thing. There's no questioning his willingness to suffer. I like his perspective on the bigger existential issue (life).

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

You can win the Tour and then return to your goats and donkeys Tibo...

If anyone can stay humble it's him and on his farm in the middle of nowhere he won't have to worry about unwanted attention

He could become the long-awaited successor of Bernard Hinault, basically Jesus. Of course he'll have to worry about unwanted attention.

Maybe I'm underestimating it, but I think he himself will have a big influence on just how much attention he'll get. If he doesn't want to do public appearances, he can just not do them.

 

[Mayomaniac]

He'll probably never get a better chance, he did a great frist MTF, the team rode a great TTT and there are easy sprint stages after both rest days, this could really be his chance to go for the big one.

 

[Koronin]

I think barring crash or illness he's on the podium in Paris. The only question is which step.

 

[Tonton]

(sight of relief)

Last night I was thinking about what could go wrong: what if this hero's welcome turned a dream day into a nightmare. An off day, a mechanical at the worst possible time, a crash...

I'll take that. Thibaut Pinot showed up, strong, and he was really mean in the last 200 meters. Taking time on all but Geraint. His fans should be satisfied: I am (although I wanted a win of course, and the jersey, by ten minutes no less ).

For his comments, it may come across as lack of ambition, but history shows that he's the kind of rider who takes set-backs as a motivation, comes back to settle unfinished business, i.e Criterium International loss in '15, revenge in '16. Tibopino has unfinished business at Le Tour. No doubt that if he finds an opening, he'll try to win. But he worries about the fall-out.

In an age of Kardashians and many seeking their 15 minutes of fame, ready to do or say anything to be rich and/or famous, instead of moving 30 miles eastwards and saving millions in taxes, he lives in his home town. And he couldn't care less about Champagne and glitters. Refreshing.

 

[Rollthedice]

Tonton, take it easy, it's only the sixth day. If Pino continues like this, by the end of July you will be a wreck.

 

[Robert5091]

9 seconds down on G, and 5 behind Bernal, so not bad so far. Can sit behind the Ineos train until stage 12, it seems.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

I think barring crash or illness he's on the podium in Paris. The only question is which step.

Agree. He's strong and focused. Karma owes him big time. And he will have proven his point.

The thing is that if he wins, Pinot has that old-school mentality of defending his title, i.e. the ITT Nationals when he was weak as weak can be. He has unfinished business in Italy though. And he knows it. And he wants to do something about it.

But let's keep our eyes on the ball. 6 down, 15 to go, let's not overlook some stages and just think about Stage 12.

I don't know if he will, but Thibaut Pinot can win this bike race.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I think barring crash or illness he's on the podium in Paris. The only question is which step.

Agree. He's strong and focused. Karma owes him big time. And he will have proven his point.

The thing is that if he wins, Pinot has that old-school mentality of defending his title, i.e. the ITT Nationals when he was weak as weak can be. He has unfinished business in Italy though. And he knows it. And he wants to do something about it.

But let's keep our eyes on the ball. 6 down, 15 to go, let's not overlook some stages and just think about Stage 12.

I don't know if he will, but Thibaut Pinot can win this bike race.

I'm on your boy's bandwagon for this one.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Re: Re:

If only this guy had a decent TT he would have a great chance. Hoping he can sneak onto the podium.

He did in 2017.

I think it was in 2014 when Pinot reached the podium, yes?

I was responding to his statement about Pinot's TT ability, not when he podiumed in 2014.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

I was responding to his statement about Pinot's TT ability, not when he podiumed in 2014.

The ITT is on my birthday, turning 51 (coincidence ?) forget the cake and the candles: Tibopino must deliver. Too bad that Thomas did well today. Pinot can handle Bernal. Against Geraint, you look at 1'20" lost in the ITT. Steep, hence my prediction in the prediction thread with Thomas 1 and Pinot 2. But again, I want to be wrong.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

I think barring crash or illness he's on the podium in Paris. The only question is which step.

That's a big call so early in the race but so far he looks good. Not so good for his countryman.

 

[Ripper]

Re: Re:

I think barring crash or illness he's on the podium in Paris. The only question is which step.

Agree. He's strong and focused. Karma owes him big time. And he will have proven his point.

The thing is that if he wins, Pinot has that old-school mentality of defending his title, i.e. the ITT Nationals when he was weak as weak can be. He has unfinished business in Italy though. And he knows it. And he wants to do something about it.

But let's keep our eyes on the ball. 6 down, 15 to go, let's not overlook some stages and just think about Stage 12.

I don't know if he will, but Thibaut Pinot can win this bike race.

I'm on your boy's bandwagon for this one.

I really like Pinot. However ... "barring crash or illness" - that's the thing, isn't it? I think even Madiot has said Pinot has "to finish". He has some amazing abilities, but he has a really tough time putting it together for the full 3. I'd love it if he did though.