Thibaut Pinot could miss Tour de France after being hospitalised with pneumonia at Giro d'Italia
Frenchman set for at least two to three weeks off the bike
Thibaut Pinot could miss the Tour de France after being hospitalised with pneumonia following stage 20 of the Giro d'Italia.
Pinot, who had been sitting in third place in the general classification at the start of the day, got into serious difficulty on the penultimate stage of the race, managing to cross the line before being taken to hospital with severe dehydration and a very high temperature.
>>> Giro d'Italia 2018 ratings: How did each team perform?
After spending the night in hospital on a drip, Pinot was diagnosed with pneumonia, before being discharged from hospital on Sunday afternoon, travelling back to France where he will have a period of rest that, according to Groupama-FDJ medical staff, could put his Tour de France in doubt.
"He's feeling better," Jacky Maillot, Groupama-FDJ team doctor, told French sports newspaper L'Equipe on Sunday.
"He is going to be on antibiotics for twelve days and is will have to have an indefinite period of rest for the moment.
"We can not predict anything at this point if it will be two or three weeks off. As long as he has not recovered from this beginning of pneumonia, we can not consider anything."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
That "indefinite period of rest" will put a serious dent in Pinot's Tour de France preparations, if not rule the Frenchman out of the race altogether.
Pinot had looked impressive for much of the three week race, spending much of the time hovering in third or fourth position before dropping back to 16th as he finished in the gruppetto on stage 20.
>>> How much prize money did Chris Froome get for winning the Giro d'Italia?
He had been planning to ride the Giro d'Italia in pursuit of a high position in the general classification before heading to the Tour de France in search of stage wins.
The 2018 Tour de France stages on July 7 in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Is Lotte Kopecky's bog-standard Specialized Crux proof that you don't need wide tires and fancy suspension systems for gravel racing?
Kopecky finished second at Gravel Worlds on a bike with minimal modifications
By Joe Baker Published
-
Undercover Mechanic: Cyclists have become very excited about aerodynamics without a correlated excitement for pilates - the result is a lot of spacers
90% of the front area is you, not the bike; having a kamtail downtube will make sod all difference if you’re unable to reach the bars, argues CW’s Undercover Mechanic
By Undercover Mechanic Published
-
Farewell Thibaut Pinot: Once more with feeling
The Groupama-FDJ rider will be missed, not just for his performances on the bike, but for his emotion
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It feels like a page of my story is ending today': With one last doomed Tour de France ride, Thibaut Pinot exits
The Frenchman tried, he really tried, but it wasn't quite enough on stage 20
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘I'm angry and disheartened’ - Arnaud Démare left out of Tour de France by Groupama-FDJ
David Gaudu and Thibaut Pinot will head up French team at home Grand Tour, Démare to leave FDJ at end of season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
An ode to Thibaut Pinot, the man who taught us to feel
The 32-year-old will retire at the end of this season, calling time on a career of highs and lows
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Thibaut Pinot wins Tour de Suisse stage seven as Sergio Higuita takes the overall lead
The Frenchman secured his second win of the year
By Pete Trifunovic Last updated
-
'An unforgettable day' — Thibaut Pinot back winning after 1,007 days
The Frenchman won stage five of the Tour of the Alps to end his drought
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I could have turned that s***ty page' — Thibaut Pinot emotional after missing out on first win in three years
Frenchman beaten by Miguel Àngel Lòpez at Tour of the Alps after being caught in final kilometre
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Thibaut Pinot expected to contest Tour de France 2022 despite lingering back pain
Injury has blighted the Frenchman for the past 12 months, yet he hopes to return to his best next season
By Jonny Long Published