Thibaut Pinot says he has to continue to attack as Tour de France heads to the Alps
Frenchman says he's relishing the upcoming Alpine stages


Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) must continue his attacking ways as the 2019 Tour de France transitions to the Alps if he wants to have a chance to overthrow Geraint Thomas (Ineos) for the overall victory.
Pinot is chipping away at the win, gaining 46 seconds to Thomas on Saturday and 49 seconds on Sunday. Now, he sits 1-50 back, having made up the time lost in the crosswind stage to Albi.
>>> Geraint Thomas says ‘bring it on’ to French rivals in final week of Tour de France 2019
"The three stages are beautiful, I know the last two very well," Pinot said of the three consecutive Alpine stages ahead in the final week.
"The hardest, I think, is that of the Galibier [Thursday]. I do not have to choose, it will depend on my legs. If they are good I will go on the attack."
Another Frenchman, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) leads the overall. Geraint Thomas (Ineos) sits second at 1-35, Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) at 1-47 and with the gains, Pinot moved up two spots to fourth at 1-50. Close behind is Thomas's team-mate Egan Bernal at 2-02 and Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) at 2-14.
Pinot is not worrying about his rivals, but time in the overall. It is music for the ears of fans who love an attacking race.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I was never afraid of anyone, I wanted to win Saturday, it's done. I thought about the general, yesterday [Sunday] but I did not calculate," he continued.
"I'm here to take time, it's the type of bike riding that I like, to attack without calculating."
Pinot and Alaphilippe mania sweeps France. Every day, L'Equipe newspaper prints two-page spreads celebrating their home riders.
"If the pressure crushed me, I would not be here, I would not have won on the Tourmalet, the big cheers just encourage me, they give me wings," Pinot said.
"It's like in a stadium, we're always stronger when it comes to playing at home, it also helps Julian. We rely on the support of the public to push us as high as possible."
Already, Pinot placed third overall in the 2014 Tour de France. In the Vuelta a España last year, he finished sixth and then won Il Lombardia.
"We'll see on Val Thorens on Saturday, I do not think about that, even though I showed some nice things this weekend," he said of the possibility of winning the overall.
"I'm fourth in the standings, I learned not to get a big head, but just keep racing like I do."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Rapha launches the Super-League, a new British road racing points competition
16 events make up the Rapha Super-League, including crits and road races, with overall winners crowned
By Adam Becket
-
Jonas Vingegaard confirms race schedule ahead of Tour de France
Danish climber will only ride the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, but will take part in two altitude camps
By Tom Thewlis
-
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
-
'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
-
‘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
-
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
-
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
-
'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
-
'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
-
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