06/12/2023

“The baton is being passed" - Groupama - FDJ look to move on to new generation following Thibaut Pinot's retirement

Arguably no rider has been as synonymous with Groupama - FDJ as Thibaut Pinot has been. With the icon of modern French cycling calling time on his professional career though, he leaves big shoes to fill within Groupama - FDJ.

“I am going to miss you pretty soon, I think,” Pinot reflects in a farewell video released by Groupama - FDJ's official X (Twitter) account. “I can retire peacefully with this new generation. Now it’s up to you. Take care of this team.”

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One of those likely to be faced with filling the Pinot's shoes in the coming years is 20-year-old Lenny Martinez, who wore the Red Jersey at the Vuelta a Espana earlier this year. “There’s one sentence from Thibaut that really stuck with me. Take care of this team,” he says. "He leaves behind a great team. A team that he has been able to transform. And now it’s our turn to take over.”

“What is going to stay with us is all the emotion he brought. To our young riders, we have to say there will be difficult times but don’t give up on the group, don’t give up on the team," concludes Sports Director Yvon Madiot. “So the baton is being passed. There will be no break. I really think so. We are ready.”