"Everyone tells me that Thibaut has to ride the Tour" - Marc Madiot not in an easy position for Tour de France team selection

Thibaut Pinot at the Tour de France 2023 - this feels almost like a certainty, especially considering the form Frenchman showed at Giro d'Italia. The Groupama - FDJ didn't hide his desire to be at the Grande Boucle in July either. His boss, Marc Madiot is now faced with the need to make the best possible decision for his team, though it might not make everyone happy.

“It makes me happy," said the former professional on the Grand Plateau podcast. "For many years I had to work hard to convince him to ride the Tour de France. We are now reaching the end of his career, he is freer and wants to be in the Tour. This is certainly good news, but there are still some things to evaluate, starting with his physical condition and his recovery, which we will be able to understand in the coming days. Based on this, taking into consideration how we want to build the team, we will make a decision."

“In the euphoria of the moment everyone tells me that Thibaut has to do the Tour. I have to try to be more pragmatic and look for answers to the questions I have to ask myself as team manager. It is not the social audience that decides. I have to try not to get influenced. Then there are also the agreements with the sponsors, this is normal”.

“For me the most beautiful role for Thibaut, if he is the condition to do the Tour, is to be the David Gaudu's luxury domestique or to take him to the podium. He said he would be in the Tour to help the team."