For multiple reasons, many are keen to see Thibaut Pinot selected as part of Groupama - FDJ's Tour de France lineup. The expected team leader, David Gaudu however, remains coy, choosing instead to keep his opinion to himself.
"I have my opinion, but I keep it to myself," says the 26-year-old Frenchman when asked for his thoughts on Pinot at a press conference on Friday. "Marc Madiot and the team staff are responsible for the composition of the team," Gaudu declares.
Fresh off the back of taking the King of the Mountains jersey and securing a top 5 placing in the general classification battle at the Giro d'Italia, Thibaut Pinot announced that this year will be his final season as a professional road cyclist. As such a final Tour de France appearance for the 2014 podium finisher remains a potentially fairy-tale finale.
“If he decides to ride the Tour de France, it will be because he is ready. I don't worry about that," says Gaudu. "I already have enough to worry about with my training and preparation."