Thibaut Pinot focused on winning French National Championships before deciding on future

Thibaut Pinot refuses to be drawn on an official date for his retirement.

First, however, he will head to the French National Championships road race, which starts on June 25.

Earlier this week, however, Pinot told news agency AFP that “I was joking when I said that,” but also adding, “even so, it could make me think. But in any case we’re not there, first you have to win.”

On tackling the French National Championships road race, Pinot said he has a “sole aim to win”.

He added: “That said, there will be a race strategy for our team, and the important thing is for the squad to bring the title home. We’ll be one of the strongest sides.”

Pinot believes the circuit at Cassel in northern France will suit him “because it’s a very tough one.”

“If it had been just 200 kilometres and then a final climb, I wouldn’t stand a chance,” he continued.

“But when it’s got 4,000 metres of vertical climbing, it’s made for a different kind of puncheur. It’s more about resistance. And when you come out of a Grand Tour like me, having just done the Giro, you always have that sort of distance in your legs. That’s maybe the small advantage I’ll have.”

On preparing for his 10th appearance at the Tour de France, Pinot said: “For my last season, I’d have regretted not being able to go. I want to enjoy it, and look on it as a party, but at the same time, give the best of myself and hope to have legs as good as I had at the end of the Giro.

“I could have some nice surprises before we reach Paris.”

He said: “I was really shocked. I was out training when I heard the news and it was really hard to complete my ride.

“We’d often cross paths at races and I liked him a great deal. After the accident, I thought about it on almost every descent when I was training. But I wasn’t even at the Tour de Suisse. For those who were there it must have been even tougher.

“I’m a rider who takes a few less risks, because I’m really aware of the danger. People often say you have to disconnect your brain when you’re on the bike and I have a lot of issues with that idea. We’re taking part in a dangerous sport.”

– – –