Motivated Thibaut Pinot leads Groupama-FDJ in Criterium du Dauphine
Jun 08 2019 12:32 am CET
Groupama-FDJ logo
Groupama-FDJ's Thibaut Pinot is set to return to the Criterium du Dauphine after two years of absence. The Frenchman is motivated to give his best performance in the race.
Pinot appeared in the French race for the last time in 2016, when he won the queen stage and finished in 16th overall position. After winning the 2019 Tour de l'Ain, the rider has confidence in his shape and is looking forward to starting the race, which will be part of the preparation for the Tour de France.
"I've just finished a block of solid training, with several camps in which I reconnoitred Tour de France stages," said the rider. "I won the last race I entered, the Tour de l'Ain, so it's only normal to feel relaxed and confident going into the Dauphiné. I'm bang on schedule.
"My main objective in the Critérium du Dauphiné will be to work with my team and go face to face with the strong field and the competition that awaits me there. I'm itching to start the race, I won't be holding myself back. My plan is to go on the attack, jump from the front and race aggressively. I want to win. If I can do this, the general classification will follow."
Pinot is looking forward to one stage particularly. "The time trial will be one of the highlights of the week," he explained. "I did a specific time trialling camp in May, so I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel on a stage that is not entirely unlike the Tour de France time trial we will face in Pau in July."
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS FEEDS