Saint-Affrique (France) (AFP)

Thibaut Pinot, back in the race after almost five months of hiatus, hopes to "increase the pressure" on the Route d'Occitanie from Saturday to be "at the level of his competitors on the next Tour de France" (August 29 - September 20), explained the leader of the Groupama-FDJ team from the terrace of his hotel in Saint-Affrique (Aveyron) on Friday.

A good distance from his masked assistance, the unfortunate hero of the Tour-2019 considered that the heavy health protocol was the "price to pay" to allow the recovery: "I know what the virus is and what it can give ", recalled the French climber whose parents were sick with Covid-19.

Q: Is it fun to start again despite the heavy health context and strict protocols?

A: It's good news, a very good thing that we're here. It was a bit long in recent weeks so we're happy to be at the start. This is the price to pay (the sanitary constraints, editor's note), it will be a little weird the first days but then we will quickly get used to it.

In the Tour de France, we will be so used to all this that it will no longer even be a constraint. It is a matter of habit and time only. I know what the virus is and what it can give (his parents were sick with Covid-19, editor's note), I totally understand. I really don't wish anyone to have it so it goes through all these measures to resume a + normal + life, let's say. I didn't have it (the coronavirus, editor's note) so I'm continuing the tests.

Q: What are the objectives for this resumed race?

A: My ambition is to see where I am compared to others and to be at the top of the rankings. Play the victory on Monday (on the mountain stage, editor's note), I don't know. There are beautiful people. The important thing will be to be in the pace right away. As soon as we start, we'll work for the rest of the season and build up the pressure. This week, what I want to see is that my preparation has been good and that I am at the level of my competitors on the next Tour de France. There is still a month left, it's huge. But knowing where I am on Monday night will be important.

Q: And win for reassurance?

A: The important thing is not to be 100% this week, especially not. This year, we will only have one peak of form to manage and not three, so we must not be ready too early. This year, few runners will win races. There will only be a peak in shape, for early September. If you miss it, you can say see you next year.

© 2020 AFP