On this Critérium du Dauphiné, the weather can change from one day to the next and go from a hailstorm, breathtakingly violent to oppressive heat.
But neither the hailstones nor the rays change the path of Thibaut Pinot. At the Col de Porte Thursday as in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville this Friday, the leader of Groupama-FDJ finishes each time just behind the untouchable Slovenian Primoz Roglic, the boss of the new steamroller of the peloton: the Jumbo-Visma. Roglic won on Thursday but this time left the victory to a striker at the start of the stage, the Italian Davide Formolo (UAR). Pinot is nevertheless a solid second overall, 14 seconds behind Roglic. Behind the Slovenian therefore but ahead of the Ineos of Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas. “It's going pretty well, says Philippe Mauduit, his sports director. We have two big groups opposite with Jumbo and Ineos. Thibaut is inserted between them. Today he is doing well but maybe some are hiding their games. Let’s not ignite. "
"I'm happy with this 3rd place"
Nothing suggests that Roglic could have a failure but the double arrival in Megève this weekend could nevertheless reshuffle some cards two weeks before the start of the Tour de France on August 29. “This weekend, the route is well designed for those who want to try to overturn the general classification, said Pinot. We can have nice surprises. I am one of those who want to try. But as much during the 2nd stage, I had great sensations, as much today (Editor's note: Friday) I was just happy to be there. I'm happy with this 3rd place. I was not terrible today and suffered quite a bit from the heat. There wasn't much more to do. "
But for those who want to see the repetition of the next Tour in mid-Dauphiné, remember that the finish on the Champs-Élysées is more than five weeks away and that the fitness cycles will change a lot by then. “Thibaut is still there just to refine his preparation,” recalls Philippe Mauduit. We had not announced any goals in the standings. But if we can finish this reassured Dauphiné, that would be good. "