Thibaut Pinot determined to "try to enjoy a little more" his last year in the peloton

With his final year in the World Tour peloton already well underway, Thibaut Pinot isn't putting too much pressure or expectation on himself. Instead, he is determined to enjoy his farewell tour.

"I have more lightness at the start of the races, I try to take advantage a little more and put less constraints on myself in the profession of cyclist," explains the former Tour de France podium finisher. "I know it's my last season, people often remind me of that. The only thing I can do to thank them is to get the best possible results."

With top 10 finishes under his belt at Etoile de Besseges and Tirreno-Adriatico already in 2023, Pinot feels he's building well to his goal of performing in the upcoming Giro d'Italia. "I hope to slam a stage of the Giro, any one," he says. "There I decided to give everything I have to finish the season well and have no regrets."

But will he get one last shot at Tour de France glory? Ultimately, who decides that is Groupama-FDJ but Cyrille Guimard tells Cyclism'Actu "Thibaut Pinot, he can bring something to David Gaudu if he becomes a 100% teammate."