Renaissance Man

As Groupama-FDJ prepare for the 2020 season, Maria David asks Thibaut Pinot if he has what it takes to win the Tour de France

- Maria David

In a nondescript sports hall in the Alpine ski resort of Tignes, there was a commotion and a variety of French-accented groans. The L’Equipe journalists had just spotted their great hope Thibaut Pinot exit the Tour de France on the lower slopes of the Col d’Iseran. After struggling through the early kilometres, the man who had ignited the race on the​Tourmalet to claim a stage victory – showing he was the strongest climber in the race in the process – was climbing off and into the back of the team car.

L’Equipe’s reporters knew what it meant to the chances of French victory, they’d been witnessing moments like it for 35 years. It was over. No one expected Julian Alaphilippe to hold on to the lead that day and he wouldn’t.

Out on the road, Pinot knew it too as the tears flowed down his face and team-mates put their arms around him to try and support him through what was “the biggest blow in his carrier” and a knock for France as a whole. Even before he reached his home, the Vosgian tweeted his intention to be back at Tour 2020, presumably to reassure his country as much as himself.

Pinot’s return to their national institution is positive news for the French public, although compared to last year, France will have fewer cards to play. With Romain Bardet missing to focus on the Giro d’Italia, and Alaphilippe deciding to chase stage victories rather than a yellow jersey (a goal he had before wearing it for most of last year’s race), Pinot may be the only realistic hope for fans wanting to see the maillot jaune on the shoulders of a Frenchman in Paris.

Blue skies or a false dawn?

Groupama-FDJ team boss Marc Madiot is bullish. “We are ready to challenge and get great results across the board in 2020, including in the Tour de France,” he says.