Will Thibaut Pinot be present at the start of the Tour de France on July 1st in Bilbao? There is uncertainty. If the main interested party, 5th in the Giro on Sunday, is a candidate, nothing is less certain to see him participate in his last Tour, he who will end his career at the end of the season. "That's a good question," he told Eurosport on Sunday. I hope I will have answers soon. I want to be on the Tour for my last year, with the legs I have. I have nothing more to prove, I made a Top 5 in the Giro, I am motivated, I want to help the team. In any case, I want to be there. »
To discover
- Tour de France 2023: the map and ten things to remember about the route
- The general classification of the Tour de France
Madiot does not want to be dictated his selection
Thibaut Pinot knows it, Marc Madiot, manager of Groupama-FDJ, will be the great decision-maker. "The decision is not mine," whispered the Frenchman Sunday in Rome. Whether positive or negative, I hope it will be quickly because I need to project myself on the rest of my season. »
Questioned on this subject on May 21, Madiot left doubt. "I can very well put it on as not put it, indeed, he agreed on RMC. Yes, I will assume until the end. If there's one thing I'm not going to take into consideration, it's this one (on Pinot's farewell tour). I have one goal: to make the best possible team with the best riders possible. If Pinot, or Demare, or another are among those riders who are likely to be extremely effective for the team, then they will be at the start of the Tour de France. Answer in a few days.