Thibaut Pinot shows fine vintage to lift French spirits in Tour de France
14 July 2019 08:00
Pinot and compatriot Julian Alaphilippe’s performances have finally given the host nation something to cheerAs Bastille Day dawns on Sunday, French cycling fans and media could look back on something that has become increasingly rare in recent years: an opening week of the Tour de France in which a Frenchman had won a key stage and twice taken the yellow jersey with true panache – step forward Julian Alaphilippe. They could also savour a set of overall standings where a home-bred star, Thibaut Pinot, looked like a serious contender for the final victory.That sense was reinforced after Saturday’s stage to Saint-Étienne where Alaphilippe attacked together with Pinot on the final climb to regain the yellow jersey he had lost on Thursday’s finish at La Planche des Belles Filles. Related: Dave Brailsford could be tempted by new Ineos role outside cycling Related: Eddy Merckx casts lengthy shadow over current crop of Belgian talent Continue readingread full article
