Aix-en-Provence (AFP)

He had left the peloton in tears on the Tour route: six months later, Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) resumed Thursday competition on the Tour de La Provence, which offers for the first time the ascent of the legendary Mont Ventoux.

Having passed close to a historic feat in July, Thibaut Pinot did not want to change his almost winning formula at the very start of the season: he again opted for an altitude training course in Tenerife, in the Canaries, where he traveled for 17 days the laces of Teide, a volcano allowing to train at more than 2,000 meters above sea level in the heart of winter, and therefore resumes on the Tour de La Provence.

Last year, the triple stage winner on the Tour de France had almost won this same event before stumbling in 4th place, just two seconds from the winner Gorka Izagirre (Astana). "I was really frustrated with the progress of the race, it was played on the bonuses," said Pinot during the presentation of the race on Wednesday.

This time, the gaps promise to be much less tightened with this arrival at the Reynard chalet, a few kilometers from the summit of Ventoux on Saturday during the 3rd stage. "From the month of February, it's a great test," appreciates Thibaut Pinot, who went to recognize the ascent on Tuesday and made it known, with an Instagram story to back it up.

With its usual mountain lieutenants, David Gaudu and Rudy Molard, Groupama-FDJ "came to race", displays its manager Marc Madiot: "We are here to be as close as possible to the first, if not the first. "

On these slopes, in a lunar setting, the Franc-Comtois will rub shoulders with the two leaders of Arkéa-Samsic who comes in force with the French champion Warren Barguil and his rookie Nairo Quintana, winner of the Giro 2014.

Delivered from the delicate coexistence with the other stars of Movistar, the Colombian, who has already raced at his national championships two weeks ago, has a little head start in his preparation over his opponents.

Before this great explanation on the Ventoux, the first stage Thursday seems promised to the sprinters among which the returning Nacer Bouhanni (Arkéa-Samsic), who found the flavor of victory on the Saudi Tour a few days ago. A first success for 18 months for the Vosgien.

The Tour de La Provence 2020 route:

1st stage: Châteaurenard - Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer (149.5 km)

2nd stage: Aubagne - La Ciotat (174.9 km)

3rd stage: Istres - Mont Ventoux-Chalet Reynard (138 km)

4th stage: Avignon - Aix-en-Provence (170.5 km)

© 2020 AFP