Paris (AFP)

"It was the year to return to the Giro," said Thibaut Pinot on Tuesday, who said he was relieved to see his choice to give up the Tour de France this year validated by the Groupama-FDJ team.

The Franc-Comtois also explained, during the virtual presentation of his team, giving up defending himself against those who criticize him and question his mind: "We speak for me, it's a waste of time! "

QUESTION: Is it a relief for you to devote yourself to the Giro (May 8-30, 2021)?

ANSWER: "It's a relief to know that my decision has been accepted. It took a while, it's normal, everyone has their interests. But I felt that it was the year to return to the Giro, especially in view of the Tour route. My last two Tours were complicated, I needed to start over with a new program, new objectives. "

Q: When did you decide to quit the Tour?

A: "After the Tour, I watched the Giro on TV. It's the only race where I'm able to watch the stages, even on the plain. There is something that makes me want to go. .. When I then saw the route of the Tour, my decision was 100% recorded. "

Q: You have a complex relationship with the Tour ...

A: "When you're at the top, it's a dream, the most beautiful race in the world. But, when you live it like me last year, it's the worst race. I lived it badly. There was very little pleasure, a lot of suffering. I had only one desire, to take my step and go hide. I will come back stronger, I hope from 2022. "

Q: Are you staying focused on the overall standings?

A: "It's something that's in me, but I don't want to take the lead anymore like I did in the last few years. It worked very well on some big tours, the Tour in 2014 (3rd), the Vuelta in 2018 (two stages). I will race day by day at the Giro. Without calculating but to express myself with my qualities and my faults. I know that I have faults on the bike, but I try to progress in the areas where I am better. The important thing is to fight again and win races. "

Q: Have you turned the page on criticism?

A: "I'm getting the hang of it, but I've decided not to defend myself in the face of all this. I'm 30 years old, I try to really miss it. When I hear that I'm running away from it. media pressure, this is completely false. We speak for me, it is wasted effort to defend ourselves, it is useless. I prefer to refocus on the race, I can't wait to have fun again. "

Q: What will be your first race in 2021?

A: "I will take the Tour d'Algarve (February 17 to 21), then Tirreno-Adriatico (March 10 to 16), the Tour des Alpes (April 19 to 23) and the Giro (May 8 to 30). may also have the weekend in Ardèche (Drôme-Ardèche Loops at the end of February). "

Q: And the rest?

the Olympics?

A: "We didn't talk about the program after the Giro. I don't want to think about the Olympics or the Vuelta or anything."

Q: But are you a candidate for selection for the Olympics?

A: "It would be a failure not to participate in the Olympics in my career and these will be my last Olympics I think. But, before, there is a Giro d'Italia that I want to succeed. We'll see if I do. feel able after the Giro to prepare myself 100%. "

Q: How do you rate yourself compared to the new generation?

A: "For me, whether a competitor is 20 or 30, it's the same. It's the eternal renewal of generations. When Sagan arrived, he was also scary. Each generation has its nuggets, its talents. . Pogacar wins the Tour and, at his age, it's exceptional. Today, the juniors train like pros. Do they have the room for improvement that we had? It's not sure. "

Interview by Jean MONTOIS

© 2021 AFP