"I will give myself 100 percent to Thibaut Pinot" - Bruno Armirail understands his role despite holding the Maglia Rosa

Although he may enter the second rest day of the 2023 Giro d'Italia wearing the Maglia Rosa and holding a lead of over a minute in the general classification, Bruno Armirail is under no illusions about his role for the remainder of the race.

Helping his teammate Thibaut Pinot was the role assigned to Armirail at the start of the Giro d'Italia. Currently though, he is in the race lead with Pinot sitting in 11th. One would be forgiven for thinking that the roles within the Groupama - FDJ team may have changed. Armirail is quick to point out that is in fact not the case.

Read also

Lance Armstrong and Jonathan Vaughters toxic Twitter spat continues: "This is revisionist history and you know it. Remind us, how much time did you serve?"

"I will try to keep my pink jersey as long as possible. But as soon as I lose my leader's jersey, I will give myself 100 percent to Thibaut Pinot. That was my role in the beginning of the Giro and it will remain so, even though I now wear the pink jersey," Armirail explains in his teams rest day press conference as he potentially enjoys his final day in the Maglia Rosa.

"With Thibaut we can still hunt for a stage victory and a good final classification. Perhaps I can still finish in the top 10, top 15 or top 20," he continues. "My French time trial title from last year was the best story I had written until this Giro. But this pink jersey is of course even more beautiful. In pink I receive recognition from cycling followers all over the world. I never dared to dream that I would ever be the leader in a Grand Tour."

Read also

OFFICIAL: Mark Cavendish confirms retirement from cycling