PINOT. Third in the mountain classification before the 11th stage of the Tour de France 2022, Thibaut Pinot can still aim for the polka dot jersey.
After having experienced a first week without damage during this Tour de France, Thibaut Pinot finds colors at the best moment when the peloton approaches the Alps and the prestigious stages. Third in the climbers’ classification behind Simon Geschke and Bob Jungels, the Groupama-FDJ rider finds himself five points behind the polka dot jersey. This Wednesday, July 13, the peloton has an appointment with a very difficult high mountain stage, a second category pass (lacets de Montvernier), another first category (Col du Télégraphe) and two out of categories (Col du Galibier and Col du Granon Serre-Chevalier) to close the 11th stage of the Tour de France 2022.
If Thibaut Pinot has a dual role on this 109th edition of the Tour de France by aiming for a stage victory while supporting the leader and 5th in the general classification, David Gaudu, will the native of Lure have the legs to go and get a polka dot jersey during the two summit finishes (Granon this Wednesday July 13 and Alpe d’Huez this Thursday July 14)? In recent years, the climber classification is often reserved for the favorites in the general classification. The last two polka dot jerseys were won by Tadej Pogacar while Romain Bardet left the Tour de France 2019 with the tunic of the best climber.
Thibaut Pinot was born on May 29, 1990 in Lure, in the department of Haute-Saône. After starting cycling at the age of 8, pushed by his big brother Julien who also practices cycling, the teenager then took his first license in the AC Bisontine club. After convincing results, he joined CC Etupes, a National Division 1 club in 2009. The young climber won the Tour de la Vallée d’Aoste with the France Espoir team, becoming the youngest winner of the event. The French Games team made him sign his first professional contract in 2010. Thibaut Pinot won his first two victories during the Tour de l’Ain 2011 but also his first stage race, the Lombard Week.
In 2012, Thibaut Pinot successfully discovered the Tour de France, as he won the Porrentruy stage and became the youngest post-war rider to finish in the top 10 overall. After a failed edition of the Tour de France 2013, Pinot recovered to take 7th place in the Vuelta. In 2014, Pinot climbed on the podium of the Tour de France (3rd), which remains to this day his best performance in the event, and won the classification of the best young rider. During the 2015 Tour de France, the young rider quickly finds himself behind in the general classification but finds the necessary resources to win the Alpe d’Huez stage. Proof of his progress in time, he became French time trial champion in 2016. Marked by another failure on the Great Loop, Pinot turned to the Giro in 2017, which he finished just off the podium. Thibaut Pinot presents himself again in 2018 on the Italian race. Third two days from the finish, he broke down physically, victim of pneumonia, and abandoned in stride as a podium reached out to him. At the end of the season, the climber successfully lined up for the Vuelta, winning two stages and finishing the race in sixth place. But above all, on October 13, 2018, Thibaut Pinot achieved one of the greatest successes of his career by winning the Tour of Lombardy, winning Vincenzo Nibali on the pedal. A success that will serve as a trigger for the French rider for the 2019 season, where he will shine on the Tour de France, before giving up on injury (see below).
Faithful to his Groupama-FDJ training since his transition to pro, Thibaut Pinot would have the second highest salary in the French peloton, behind Julian Alaphilippe (2.3 million euros per year according to figures published by the newspaper L’Equipe on May 19, 2020). The climber’s income is estimated at around 2 million euros per year, although neither the rider nor his team communicated on this subject during the extension of his contract in June 2020.
Thibaut Pinot has got into the habit of remaining discreet about his private life and in particular about his romantic relationships. We do know, however, that the French runner is currently in a relationship with Charlotte Patat, crowned Miss-Champagne-Ardennes in 2016. A few years ago, the cyclist had an idyll with another beauty queen, Andréa Vannier, Miss Franche-Comté 2011. By his side, Thibaut Pinot can also count on the support of his brother Julien, a former cyclist and now a coach with the Groupama-FDJ team, his sister Marine and his parents Marie-Jeanne and Régis, who regularly come to support him on the route of the Tour de France. The latter is mayor of the commune of Mélisey, where Thibaut Pinot grew up and still lives.
Thibaut Pinot’s first feat of arms in the Tour de France dates back to his first participation in 2012, when at the cost of a long breakaway, he won the Porrentruy stage. The climber then suffered several disappointments on the routes of the Grande Boucle, notably in 2013, 2016 and 2017, being forced to retire each time. In 2014, he ranked 3rd overall and won the white jersey for the best young rider. A disappointing outburst on the 2015 edition, he finished this Tour finely in style by winning the penultimate stage at the top of Alpe d’Huez, notably resisting the return of Nairo Quintana. Absent in 2018, the Franc-Comtois returned to the Grande Boucle through the front door during the 2019 edition by playing the leading roles and winning a stage victory at the top of the Tourmalet. Performances that allowed him to dream of the final victory before crossing the Alps… Overtaken by bad luck, he will once again have to dismount, in tears, at the start of the 19th stage, victim of an injury at the thigh. “The biggest disappointment of my career,” he admitted a few days later.
Here are the main victories and places of honor for Thibaut Pinot since his arrival in professional cycling in 2010:
