Thibaut Pinot sets his sights on the Giro d'Italia

French rider Thibaut Pinot of FDJ is set to ride the 100th Giro d'Italia for the first time and is expected to take part in the Tour de France too

December 11th 2017 - French sports paper l'Equipe reported today that the 26-year-old will make his first appearance in the Italian Grand Tour after having ridden the Tour de France five times and the Vuelta a España twice.

So far, his best result in a Grand Tour is a third place in the 2014 Tour de France. Having finished 16th in 2015 and being unable to reach Paris in 2016, Pinot will be determined to finish the 100th Giro d'Italia.

The cyclist had already expressed his interest in the Giro in October. "I can say that I really want to participate in the Giro. There will be six real summit finishes and two real time trials. Drama will arrive very quicky in the 100th Giro as the arrival on the Etna is planned for the fourth day," Pinot commented.

Pinot, currently at a training camp in Spain with his team FDJ, hasn't taken part in any races since abandoning the Tour de France last July. 

Brutal 100th Giro Planned

This year's Giro is particularly brutal with a double climb of the Stelvio which on paper looks like one of the hardest stages a Grand Tour has ever produced. The riders first have to wind up a valley and attack the Mortirolo.

After 2 weeks of racing this will be a punishing test of form for the whole peloton.

The last 10 day's of the Giro are where the race really win be won or lost.

The final Time Trial in Milan will be more of a celebration as the 28km ITT is too short for GC riders to open or close a gap.

The GC will probably be decided on the mountain stages 16 - 20 on May 23rd to 27th.