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Thibaut Pinot (Groupama - FDJ) suffered a setback on the three-day Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var. The 30-year-old, who started his season in the French stage race and finished ninth on the first stage, had to realize on the final stage on Sunday that his back problems from last autumn were still an issue. He crossed the finish line in the third stage, twelve minutes behind, in 50th place, while his teammates Valentin Madouas, David Gaudu and Rudy Molard dominated the race at the front.
"I don't know if it's worrying again," said Pinot after the L'Equipe race. "But I have to say that it was a bit of a chore today. My back is not doing well. I came here for the Tour du Var to get answers and I have them. They are not good answers, but at least answers. I'll discuss it with the team, but the first signals weren't good. "
Pinot's back problems go back to a fall at the Critérium du Dauphiné in August, which forced him to cancel the French championships. Although he then competed in the Tour de France, he was in such pain in the mountains that he could not call up his performance and finally only arrived in Paris in 29th place. He then started at the Vuelta a Espana, but gave up on the third day. In the winter, Pinot declared that he had taken the problems seriously too late.