Cycling: The 2023 season hasn't even started yet, and there's already the first resignation. Thibaut Pinot will retire at the end of the year. The now 32-year-old Frenchman announced this in the sports newspaper L'Équipe.
Pinot only drove for one team
It's been 13 years since Thibaut Pinot competed in his first professional race on the road. In the jersey of Francaise des Jeux, he finished 2010th in the Tour Down Under in 45. He was 20 years young at the time and was considered a great talent. He first showed this at the Tour du Finistère when he finished fifth. He finished the Tour de l'Ain in the same year in fifth place – behind others, including winner Haimar Zubeldia and Wout Poels, second overall. A year later he celebrated his first big victory at the Tour Alsace. He won the final stage and thus the overall ranking. In 2012 his star rose at the Tour de France. With tenth place overall, a stage win and second place in the youngsters' classification, he won the hearts of the French fans. He should never change teams. He still pedals for FDJ today.
Farewell race in Lombardy
With the words "I'm ready for real life now" kündigt to Thibaut Pinot announced the end of his career in L'Equipe yesterday, Thursday. His last race is said to be the Tour of Lombardy, which he won in 2018. In total, Pinot celebrated 14 victories in his then 33-year career, including three at the Tour de France. In his farewell year he attacks again at the Giro d'Italia. He also hopes to take part in the Tour de France.
team boss Marc Madiot:
“Thibaut has expressed the wish to end his sporting career at the end of the season. That didn't surprise me. I almost expected it. You could say it's the right time, or you could say it's not. But it's his decision. I think he's going to have a great season. He doesn't have to prove anything. He just has to have fun – and he will.”