Thibaut Pinot
Nationality: French
Date of birth: May 29, 1990
Height: 180cm
Weight: 63kg
Team: Equipe FDJ
Twitter: @ThibautPinot
French cyclist Thibaut Pinot has a selection of Young Rider Classification titles to his name - as well as some impressive results at the Tour de France.
Pinot has already claimed a podium at the Tour de France, with third overall in 2014 and two stage wins in 2012 and 2015.
The young rider abandoned the Tour de France in 2013, but made up for it with a seventh place in the Vuelta a España. The next year he took home the white young rider jersey at the Tour de France.
More wins were collected in 2015, with a series of queen stage and summit finishes. First was the queen stage of the Tour de Romandie - where Pinot finished fourth overall. Then the hilliest day of the Tour de Suisse, followed by stage 20 of the Tour de France, with its Alpe d'hues finish.
The 2016 edition of the iconic French grand tour was less successful for Pinot, who withdrew before the end of stage 13, suffering from bronchitis - though during his time at the race he did manage to finish in the polka dot climber's jersey three times.
The bout of bronchitis prevented Pinot from taking his place at the 2016 Olympic Games - and he finished his season soon after in order to rest up and prepare for the coming 2017 season.
The rest appeared to serve him well, and he won the opening stage of the Tour of the Alps, taking second overall, as well as third overall at Tirreno-Adreiatico.
For 2017, he aimed to replicate some of that success in Italy, at the Giro d'Italia - a race he entered with bolstered confidence following a second place on GC at the Tour of the Alps. By the final stage, he found himself just one step off the podium on general classification, in fourth place, also winning stage 20.
He did one better in 2018, winning the overall at the Tour of the Alps. He also seemed to have claimed a podium spot in the Giro, before a monumental collapse on stage 20, eventually losing 45 minutes on the stage winner Mikel Nieve. Clearly more serious than a loss of form, he was hospitalised for dehydration and fever. He withdrew from the race and eventually also withdrew from the upcoming Tour de France. After a long recovery, he refocused on the Giro where he targeted the GC. In a style that has repeated for several years, the Frenchman lost time early on, before clawing back through the rankings and taking stage wins along the way. He claimed victory in stage 15 & 19, eventually finishing a respectable 6th overall.
Clearly on form, he followed the Giro with wins at Milano-Torino and Il Lombardia. The monument win represents the biggest non-Grand Tour win of his career.
The 2019 edition of the TdF was a promising one for Pinot. By stage 18 he was sitting in 5th and clearly had good legs. However, a freak accident led to a torn quadriceps and he was forced to abandon during stage 19.
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Tweets of the week: Thibaut Pinot's leaving party, and the Ineos boys go out out
Some riders are already well onto their off-season, while some are racing on, lucky them
By Adam Becket Published
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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
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'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
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‘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
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Want to win Thibaut Pinot's Vuelta bike? Groupama-FDJ auctions off tech and kit
The team says a lucky fan will get to spend a day with Marc Madiot at the Tour de France, too
By Adam Becket Published
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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
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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
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Thibaut Pinot and Guillaume Martin question Rafael Nadal's use of cortisone injections: 'What Nadal has done would be impossible in cycling'
The tennis player admitted he had several injections in his foot to help him win the French Open on Sunday
By Ryan Dabbs Published
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'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
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'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
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Thibaut Pinot will tackle the Tour de France once more in 2022
Frenchman aims for podium again eight years after he last achieved the feat, will be joined by David Gaudu and Michael Storer
By Adam Becket Last updated
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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
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Thibaut Pinot says he set his fastest ever Strava time on Ballon d'Alsace as he trained for comeback
The former Tour de France podium sitter has had a break from racing with injury
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
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Vuelta a España came 'too early' for Thibaut Pinot, who 'feels liberated' to be returning to racing
The Frenchman says it's been a long time since he's been so impatient to race
By Jonny Long Published
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Thibaut Pinot 'just wants to race' as he continues recovery at series of French races
The Frenchman won't ride the upcoming Vuelta a España, the first time in 10 years he hasn't ridden a Grand Tour in a season
By Jonny Long Published
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Marc Madiot admits he should've taken Thibaut Pinot out of racing earlier in 2020
Pinot has been suffering from back problems which were made worse at last year's Tour de France
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
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Chris Froome, Simon Yates and Thibaut Pinot headline Tour of the Alps 2021
Nairo Quintana and Hugh Carthy are also at the five-stage race
By Jonny Long Published
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Thibaut Pinot 'already focused on Tour de France' as he returns to racing
The Frenchman is back in the peloton this week for the first time since he abandoned the 2019 Tour
By Jonny Long Published
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Thibaut Pinot will not ride the 2021 Tour de France, according to reports
Instead, French media sources indicate Pinot will turn to the Giro d'Italia
By Jonny Long Published
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Thibaut Pinot wins Milano-Torino as uphill crash takes out rival Miguel Angel Lopez
Thibaut Pinot rode solo to win Milano-Torino after his team-mate brought down Miguel Angel Lopez in a crash on the final climb.
By Alex Ballinger Published
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Over 400 watts for 30 minutes – Strava stats reveal formidable rides on Mont Ventoux
The iconic Mont Ventoux made a cameo in this year’s Tour de la Provence, which of course resulted in some phenomenal early-season performances.
By Alex Ballinger Published
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Thibaut Pinot: I was convinced I could win the Tour
The Frenchman was forced to abandon with injury on stage 19 of the Tour de France
By Gregor Brown Published
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Thomas Voeckler: 'If you don't believe Bardet or Pinot can win the Tour de France 2019, you don't believe in anything'
The Frenchman has backed his compatriots to bring home a first Tour victory for their country since Bernard Hinault in 1985
By Jonny Long Published
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Thibaut Pinot looking to make the most of climbers' course at Rio Olympics
Thibaut Pinot finished second to French compatriot Alexis Vuillermoz in the Olympic test event, but hopes to go one better next August
By Kenny Pryde Published
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Thibaut Pinot abandons Vuelta a España 2020
Thibaut Pinot has abandoned the Vuelta a España 2020.
By Alex Ballinger Published
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Thibaut Pinot spotted with a new unreleased Lapierre at the Giro d'Italia
FDJ team leader Thibaut Pinot appears to be riding what we suspect to be a new, custom painted Lapierre Aircode at the Giro d'Italia.
By Oliver Bridgewood Published
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Groupama-FDJ reveal new Lapierre race bike ahead of the 2018 Giro d'Italia
French pro team Groupama-FDJ will use a brand new Lapierre at this year's Giro d'Italia
By Symon Lewis Published
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Thibaut Pinot outguns Alberto Contador to win Ruta del Sol queen stage
The queen stage of the Ruta del Sol saw victory for FDJ's Ruta del Sol, who paced himself perfectly to overhaul Alberto Contador in the final metres.
By Henry Robertshaw Published
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Thibaut Pinot decides to end season early to focus on 2020 return
The Frenchman will not defend his Il Lombardia title
By Jonny Long Published