Thibaut Pinot

File:Thibaut Pinot - seconde étape du Tour de Romandie 2010.jpg]]

Lure-born Pinot turned professional in 2010 with the {{UCI team code|FDJ|2010a}} team, having signed an initial two-year contract with the team.{{cite news|url=https://www.directvelo.com/actualite/4302/thibaut-pinot-sera-professionnel-en-2010|title=Thibaut Pinot sera professionnel en 2010|language=French|trans-title=Thibaut Pinot will be professional in 2010|work=Directvelo|publisher=Association Le Peloton|date=11 September 2009|accessdate=13 July 2023}} In his first season, he won the mountains classification at the Tour de Romandie and Paris–Corrèze,{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Tyler|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-tour-de-romandie-upt/stage-5/results/|title=Valverde seizes Romandie title with final stage win|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=2 May 2010|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sportbreizh.com/actualites-paris-correze-revelateur-de-talents-1925-15433-0-0.html|title=Paris-Corrèze révélateur de talents|language=French|trans-title=Paris-Corrèze revealing talents|work=Sportbreizh.com|publisher=IMG SAS|date=10 July 2012|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=En effet Thibaut Pinot avait remporté le classement du meilleur grimpeur sur le Paris Corrèze 2010, en passant 4 fois en tête au sommet du Col des Géants ! [Indeed Thibaut Pinot had won the classification of the best climber on the Paris Corrèze 2010, passing 4 times in the lead at the top of the Col des Géants!]}} and recorded fifth-place finishes at the Tour de l'Ain, and the Tour du Finistère.{{cite web|url=https://www.directvelo.com/epreuve/895/tour-du-finistere-2010|title=Tour du Finistère|language=French|work=Directvelo|publisher=Association Le Peloton|date=17 April 2010|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

At the 2011 Tour of Turkey, Pinot was part of a ten-rider breakaway on the fifth stage that finished twelve minutes clear of the peloton (having also been part of the breakaway on the previous stage),{{cite news|first=Jean-François|last=Quénet|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/47th-presidential-cycling-tour-of-turkey-2-hc/stage-5/results/|title=Rabottini takes first professional win in Fethiye|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=28 April 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and ultimately finished the race in third overall.{{cite news|first=Jean-François|last=Quénet|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/47th-presidential-cycling-tour-of-turkey-2-hc/stage-8/results/|title=Van Hummel wins final stage in Turkey|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=1 May 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He then finished second to Sylvain Georges in his next start, at the Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour, winning the mountains and young rider classifications.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/21st-rhone-alpes-isere-tour-2-2/stage-4/results/|title=Kvist wins final stage|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=15 May 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He finished second to Joaquim Rodríguez on the final stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné in June,{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/criterium-du-dauphine-2011/stage-7/results/|title=Wiggins claims Dauphiné overall victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=12 June 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}} before winning the Tour Alsace on the final stage in July with a stage victory atop the Col du Ballon d'Alsace.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-alsace-2-2-1/stage-5/results/|title=Pinot triumphs at Tour Alsace|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=31 July 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He then won two stages at the Tour de l'Ain in August, including the final stage summit finish at the Col du Grand Colombier; he also held the overall lead for a day after his first stage win.{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Hymas|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-la-route-du-progres-2-1/stage-2/results/|title=Pinot wins from three-man break|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=11 August 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-la-route-du-progres-2-1/stage-4/results/|title=Moncoutie takes overall victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=13 August 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}} At the end of the month, he soloed to an opening stage victory at the Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda, where he then held on to the overall lead of the race until its conclusion three days later.{{cite news|first=Xylon|last=van Eyck|url=http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9639/Thibaut-Pinot-poised-for-overall-victory-in-Settimana-Lombarda.aspx|title=Thibaut Pinot poised for overall victory in Settimana Lombarda|work=VeloNation|publisher=VeloNation LLC|date=3 September 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/settimana-ciclistica-lombarda-by-bergamasca-2-1-1/stage-4/results/|title=Pinot secures overall victory at Settimana Lombarda|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=3 September 2011|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

File:Thibaut Pinot TDF2012.jpg]]

Pinot, aged 22 was the youngest rider in the Tour de France.{{cite web |title=The oldest starts the attacking; the youngest wins – Bravo Thibaut! |url=http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/us/stage-8/news/flm/the-oldest-starts-the-attacking-the-youngest-wins-bravo-thibaut.html |publisher=www.letour.fr |access-date=8 July 2012 |date=8 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711015708/http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/us/stage-8/news/flm/the-oldest-starts-the-attacking-the-youngest-wins-bravo-thibaut.html |archive-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=dead }} He took a prestigious victory on the eighth stage from Belfort to Porrentruy, which comprised seven categorized climbs including the Category 1 Col de la Croix, where he passed Fredrik Kessiakoff ({{UCI team code|AST|2012}}) shortly before the summit,{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-takes-stylish-win-in-porrentruy/|title=Pinot takes stylish win in Porrentruy|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=8 July 2012|accessdate=13 July 2023}} with {{convert|16|km|abbr=off}} remaining. He then negotiated the descent and the flat portion of road, holding on to a lead of 26 seconds over the chasing group – which included some of the Tour's general classification contenders – despite a headwind and while being frantically encouraged by his team manager, Marc Madiot.{{cite news|first=Gilles|last=Le Roc'h|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-cycling-tour-idUKBRE8670D720120708|title=French youngster Pinot wins eighth stage|work=Reuters|publisher=Thomson Reuters|date=8 July 2012|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-8/results |title=Pinot rides to glory in Porrentruy |work=Cycling News |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |date=8 July 2012 |access-date=8 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711015110/http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-8/results |archive-date=11 July 2012 }} Despite being the youngest rider at the Tour, he managed to finish 10th overall in the final general classification. At 22 years and 54 days, he became the youngest rider to finish in the top 10 since Raymond Impanis (aged 21 years, 8 months) in 1947.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/cyclisme/2012/07/22/02007-20120722ARTSPO00117-vicement-2013.php|title = Vivement 2013|date = 22 July 2012}} Following the Tour de France, Pinot took a stage victory on the final day of the Tour de l'Ain.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-la-route-du-progrs-2012/stage-5/results/|title=Talansky wins 2012 Tour de L'Ain|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=11 August 2012|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

Having started out the season with finishes of 8th overall at the Volta a Catalunya and 4th overall at Tour de Suisse,{{cite web|url=https://www.tourdesuisse.ch/en/timeline/tour-de-suisse-2013/|title=Tour de Suisse 2013|work=Tour de Suisse|publisher=Cycling Unlimited AG|accessdate=13 July 2023}} there were high hopes for Pinot in July at the centenary edition of the Tour de France.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2013/preview/|title=Tour de France 2013: The race preview|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=19 June 2013|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=Other names to remember for the GC battle include French hope Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) [...]}} However, when the race hit the mountains, Pinot was struggling and was over half an hour down in the general classification after Stage 9. In the second week of the race, Pinot had problems with a sore throat and also admitted he was struggling on the descents, having a fear of speed.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-out-of-tour-de-france/|title=Pinot out of Tour de France {{!}} Cyclingnews.com|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=15 September 2018}} He abandoned the race prior to stage 16. Having finished sixth at the Tour de l'Ain, Pinot looked to redeem himself in the Vuelta a España, and got better throughout the race, moving into the top ten overall ahead of the first rest day.{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-espana-2013/stage-10/results/|title=Horner flies to second Vuelta a Espana stage victory atop Alto Hazallanas|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=2 September 2013|accessdate=13 July 2023}} On the penultimate stage to the Alto de l'Angliru, Pinot climbed up to 7th place overall,{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Puddicombe|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/chris-horner-stamps-authority-on-vuelta-a-espana-25501|title=Chris Horner stamps authority on Vuelta a Espana|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media|date=14 September 2013|accessdate=13 July 2023}} which was also his finishing position in Madrid.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Puddicombe|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/chris-horner-wins-2013-vuelta-a-espana-2-25452|title=Chris Horner wins 2013 Vuelta a Espana|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media|date=15 September 2013|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

File:Thibaut Pinot - Tour de France 2014.jpg leader, at the 2014 Tour de France – he would go on to win the jersey in Paris]]

In the spring, Pinot took top-ten overall finishes at the Tour of the Basque Country,{{cite news|first=Nigel|last=Wynn|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/alberto-contador-wins-tour-basque-country-overall-120125|title=Alberto Contador wins Tour of the Basque Country overall|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media|date=12 April 2014|accessdate=13 July 2023}} the Tour de Romandie,{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-2014-2014/stage-5/results/|title=Tour de Romandie: Froome dominates the final time trial|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=4 May 2014|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and the Bayern Rundfahrt.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/bayern-rundfahrt-2014/stage-5/results/|title=Bennett wins final Bayern Rundfahrt stage|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=1 June 2014|accessdate=13 July 2023}} At the Tour de France, Pinot won the white jersey for being the best young rider and finished in third place in the final general classification, behind Vincenzo Nibali (1st) and Jean-Christophe Péraud (2nd).{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Gittings|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/28/sport/cycling-tour-nibali-bardet-pinot/index.html|title=When will a French rider win the Tour de France?|work=CNN|publisher=Time Warner|date=28 July 2014|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He and Péraud became the first Frenchmen to finish in the top three overall in the Tour de France since Richard Virenque finished as the runner-up overall in 1997. It was the first time in 30 years that two Frenchmen finished in the top three overall in the Tour de France – Laurent Fignon (winner) and Bernard Hinault (runner-up) finished in the top two overall in 1984.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/28515493|title=Tour de France: Vincenzo Nibali completes race victory|publisher=BBC|date=27 July 2014}} He then rode the Vuelta a España, but withdrew midway through the race. He finished the season with a fourth-place finish at both the Tour du Doubs, and the Tour du Gévaudan Languedoc-Roussillon, winning the young rider classification at the latter.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-du-gevaudan-languedoc-roussillon-2014-2-1/stage-2/results/|title=Txurruka wins Tour du Gévaudan|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=28 September 2014|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

In March, he finished fourth overall at Tirreno–Adriatico,{{cite web|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/TirrenoAdriatico/2015/it/download/T07_Classifica_Generale_2015.pdf|title=Tappa / étape / Stage 7 (cronometro individuale / contre-la-montre individuel / individual time trial): San Benedetto del Tronto, km 10 - Classifica generale / Classement général individuel au temps / Overall standing on time|work=Tirreno–Adriatico|publisher=RCS MediaGroup|date=17 March 2015|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and then finished second to Jean-Christophe Péraud at Critérium International (also winning the white jersey as winner of the young rider classification).{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/criterium-international-2015/stage-3/results/|title=Peraud wins overall title at Criterium International|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=29 March 2015|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Pinot had his first victory of the season at the Tour de Romandie. He won the queen stage of the race with seven seconds of an advantage over his nearest pursuer, Ilnur Zakarin of {{UCI team code|KAT|2015}}.{{cite news |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-2015/stage-5/results |title=Pinot takes victory on Tour de Romandie stage 5 |work=Cyclingnews.com |publisher=Immediate Media Company |date=2 May 2015 |access-date=2 May 2015 |author=Sadhbh O'Shea}} He finished fourth in the general classification and won the white jersey as the young rider classification winner.{{cite news |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-2015/stage-6/results |title=Zakarin wins Tour de Romandie |work=Cyclingnews.com |publisher=Immediate Media Company |date=3 May 2015 |access-date=3 May 2015 |author=Sadhbh O'Shea}} In June, as he was preparing for the Tour de France, he participated in the Tour de Suisse and won the queen stage, a long and difficult event featuring a mountaintop finish atop the Rettenbach glacier.{{cite news |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/06/race-report/thibaut-pinot-climbs-to-tour-de-suisse-stage-5-win-gc-lead_374192 |title=Thibaut Pinot climbs to Tour de Suisse stage 5 win, GC lead |work=VeloNews |publisher=Competitor Group |date=17 June 2015 |access-date=17 June 2015 |author=Spencer Powlison}} He held the race lead by 34 seconds going into the final stage, a {{convert|38.4|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} individual time trial that started and finished in Bern.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/20/geraint-thomas-tour-de-suisse-cycling-second-place|title=Geraint Thomas poised for Tour de Suisse finale after edging closer to lead|work=The Guardian|agency=Press Association|date=20 June 2015|accessdate=13 July 2023}} However, he lost at least a minute to his closest challengers Geraint Thomas and Simon Špilak, and also fell behind Tom Dumoulin to finish in fourth place overall.{{cite news|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2015/06/22/simon-spilak-narrowly-wins-tour-de-suisse/29069963/|title=Simon Spilak narrowly wins Tour de Suisse|website=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=22 June 2015|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

File:Tour de France 2015, pinot en sanchez (19441625133) (cropped).jpg]]

At the Tour de France, Pinot lost considerable time in the first week due to crashes and mechanical issues, yet he won Stage 20 – which finished at Alpe d'Huez – in solo fashion and finished 16th in the final general classification.{{cite news |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-20/results |title=Tour de France: Pinot lands huge win for France on l'Alpe d'Huez |work=Cyclingnews.com |publisher=Immediate Media Company |date=25 July 2015 |access-date=25 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727224108/http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-20/results|archive-date=27 July 2015}} He competed in the warm-up event for the 2016 Summer Olympics, the International Road Cycling Challenge in Rio de Janeiro, where he finished in sixth position.{{cite news|first=Pierre|last=Carrey|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/q-and-a-with-thibaut-pinot-taking-the-pressure-off-and-looking-forward-to-lombardy/|title=Q&A with Thibaut Pinot: Taking the pressure off and looking forward to Lombardy|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=29 September 2015|accessdate=13 July 2023}} In September, Pinot won the Tour du Gévaudan Languedoc-Roussillon (his first stage race win since 2011); he won the opening stage in a two-up sprint against Thomas Voeckler on the uphill finish at the Col de Pierre Plate, and then finished second to Alexis Vuillermoz on the final stage in Mende. He finished his season competing in a pair of Italian races – he finished fourth in Milano–Torino,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milano-torino-2015/results/|title=Rosa wins Milan-Turin|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=1 October 2015|accessdate=13 July 2023}} before recording his first Monument classic podium finish with third place in Il Lombardia, a result that he was "proud" with.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/il-lombardia-pinot-satisfied-with-podium-place-in-seasons-toughest-classic/|title=Il Lombardia: Pinot satisfied with podium place in season's toughest Classic|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=4 October 2015|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

During the first half of the 2016 season, Pinot recorded a run of seven consecutive race starts where he finished in the top-five placings. He finished second to Dries Devenyns in a sprint à deux at the Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-la-marseillaise-2016/results/|title=Devenyns takes IAM Cycling's first victory of 2016|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=31 January 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and then finished third overall at the Étoile de Bessèges after a second-place finish on the final individual time trial stage.{{cite news|first=Nigel|last=Wynn|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/jerome-coppel-wins-etoile-de-besseges-after-final-time-trial-victory-210783|title=Jérôme Coppel wins Etoile de Bessèges after final time trial victory|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Time Inc. UK|date=31 January 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He finished fourth overall at the Volta ao Algarve and then fifth overall at Tirreno–Adriatico.{{cite news |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thibaut-pinot-calls-time-on-2016-season/|title=Thibaut Pinot calls time on 2016 season|publisher=www.cyclingnews.com|date=2 September 2016}} At Critérium International, Pinot won a {{convert|7|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} individual time trial around Porto-Vecchio to take the race lead, before winning the final stage the following day, a summit finish on the {{ill|Col de l'Ospedale|fr}}.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/cycling/2016/03/27/ap-cyc-criterium-international|title=Thibaut Pinot wins Criterium International|magazine=Sports Illustrated|publisher=Time Inc.|agency=Associated Press|date=27 March 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} After a fourth-place overall finish at the Tour of the Basque Country, Pinot won the third stage – a {{convert|15.11|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} individual time trial in Sion{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-2016/stage-3/results/|title=Tour de Romandie: Pinot wins time trial in Sion|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=29 April 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} – at the Tour de Romandie; he moved up to second overall behind Nairo Quintana, staying there for the remainder of the race.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-romandie-2016/stage-5/results/|title=Quintana wins the Tour de Romandie|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=1 May 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He out-sprinted Romain Bardet to win a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné at the ski resort of Méribel,{{cite news|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2016/06/11/froome-retains-dauphine-lead-as-pinot-wins-penultimate-stage/85771098/|title=Froome retains Dauphine lead as Pinot wins penultimate stage|website=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=11 June 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and he also won the French National Time Trial Championships,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/french-road-championships-2016/time-trial-men/results/|title=Pinot wins French time trial title|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=23 June 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} ahead of the Tour de France. Following this success, he signed a two-year contract extension with {{UCI team code|FDJ|2016}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-extends-with-fdj-for-two-years/|title=Pinot extends with FDJ for two years|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=30 June 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

At the Tour de France however, Pinot lost a little over three minutes to other general classification contenders on stage 7 to Lac de Payolle.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-pinots-poor-form-exposed-on-the-first-climb-in-the-pyrenees/|title=Tour de France: Pinot's poor form exposed on the first climb in the Pyrenees|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=8 July 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Pinot simply said it was his bad legs, as he was seen struggling on the final climb of the Col d'Aspin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/tour-de-france-2016-frances-top-hope-thibaut-pinot-cracks-20160709-gq24tm.html|title=Tour de France 2016: France's top hope Thibaut Pinot cracks|date=9 July 2016|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=15 September 2018}} On the following stage, Pinot rebounded and went into the breakaway; he and Rafał Majka battled it out for points for the mountains jersey, with Majka taking the lead in the competition by one point, and he lost 16 minutes to stage winner Chris Froome.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-pinot-to-shift-focus-to-king-of-the-mountains-classification/|title=Tour de France: Pinot to shift focus to king of the mountains classification|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=10 July 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} On stage 9 he was yet again in the breakaway with Majka, but Pinot managed to edge out Majka, to wear the polka dot jersey from stage 10. However, Pinot performed badly in the polka-dot jersey on stage 12 and withdrew from the race ahead of stage 13.{{Cite news|url=https://www.velonews.com/2016/07/news/ill-pinot-pulls-tour-de-france_414841|title=Ill Pinot pulls out of Tour de France {{!}} VeloNews.com|date=15 July 2016|work=VeloNews.com|access-date=15 September 2018}} On 1 September, Pinot announced his season's end on Twitter, citing "persistent fatigue due to a virus" and "in order to prepare best for the next season" as the reasons for his decision to end his season prematurely.

File:Tour de l'Ain 2017 - étape 4 - Lélex - 22.JPG at the 2017 Tour de l'Ain. Pinot won the general and mountains classifications, with Gaudu finishing second in both.]]

The first win of Pinot's 2017 campaign came at the Vuelta a Andalucía, as he rode past Alberto Contador in the final hundred metres of the second stage.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/thibaut-pinot-outguns-alberto-contador-to-win-ruta-del-sol-queen-stage-311828|first=Henry|last=Robertshaw|title=Thibaut Pinot outguns Alberto Contador to win Ruta del Sol queen stage|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Time Inc. UK|date=16 February 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Pinot finished the race in third position overall,{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-andalucia-ruta-ciclista-del-sol-2017/stage-5/results/|title=Ruta del Sol: Wellens wins rainy final stage|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=19 February 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) rounded out the final podium, six seconds down on Valverde.}} and went on to ride Strade Bianche for the first time, in which he finished ninth.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-vows-to-return-to-strade-bianche-after-attacking-debut/|title=Pinot vows to return to Strade Bianche after attacking debut|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=5 March 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Pinot then finished third overall at the Tirreno–Adriatico a week later, losing a place on the final stage to Rohan Dennis.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tirreno-adriatico-2017/stage-7/results/|title=Quintana seals Tirreno-Adriatico victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=14 March 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} As Pinot was targeting the centenary edition of the Giro d'Italia,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-to-target-the-giro-ditalia-in-2017/|title=Pinot to target the Giro d'Italia in 2017|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=11 December 2016|accessdate=13 July 2023}} his last preparation race was the Tour of the Alps. He recorded top-five stage finishes on each of the five stages, including a stage win on the final stage to Trento, as he finished second overall behind Geraint Thomas.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-the-alps-2017/stage-5/results/|title=Geraint Thomas wins Tour of the Alps|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=21 April 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} At the Giro d'Italia, Pinot recorded a fourth-place finish at Mount Etna on stage four and a second-place finish at Blockhaus on stage nine, which saw him rise to second in the general classification behind Nairo Quintana.{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Windsor|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/giro-ditalia/nairo-quintana-wins-blockhaus-giro-ditalia-stage-nine-marred-controversy-330553|title=Nairo Quintana wins on Blockhaus as Giro d'Italia stage nine marred by motorbike crash|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Time Inc. UK|date=14 May 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} After dropping to fourth overall on the following stage,{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinots-hopes-of-giro-ditalia-lead-evaporate-with-poor-time-trial/|title=Pinot's hopes of Giro d'Italia lead evaporate with poor time trial|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=16 May 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Pinot remained in third or fourth overall for the remainder of the race. He won the penultimate stage to Asiago,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cycling/giro-d-italia-tom-dumoulin-title-thibaut-pinot-wins-stage-a7759601.html|title=Tom Dumoulin has Giro d'Italia title in sight as France's Thibaut Pinot wins last mountain stage in Asiago|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd|date=27 May 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} winning a sprint from a small group of riders, and went into the final stage – a {{convert|29.3|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} individual time trial into Milan from the Monza Circuit – with a ten-second margin over Tom Dumoulin for the final podium place.{{cite news|first=William|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=William Fotheringham|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/27/tom-dumoulin-thibaut-pinot-giro-ditalia|title=Tom Dumoulin faces ultimate trial as Giro d'Italia heads for thrilling finale|work=The Guardian|date=27 May 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Dumoulin overhauled Pinot, Vincenzo Nibali and Quintana for the race victory, with Pinot missing out on the podium in fourth place.{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-giro-ditalia-was-a-big-moment-for-my-career/|title=Pinot: Giro d'Italia was a big moment for my career|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=28 May 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

Having been unable to defend his title at the French National Time Trial Championships, Pinot rode the Tour de France but finished no higher than ninth on a stage, and abandoned the race during stage 17 on the Col de la Croix de Fer.{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Windsor|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/marcel-kittel-abandons-2017-tour-de-france-stage-17-342769|title=Marcel Kittel abandons the 2017 Tour de France on stage 17|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Time Inc. UK|date=19 July 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=[...] with Thibaut Pinot throwing in the towel on the Croix de Fer and leaving his FDJ team with just three riders left in the race.}} In August, Pinot won the Tour de l'Ain ahead of his teammate David Gaudu; Gaudu won the third stage in Oyonnax ahead of Pinot with Pinot moving into the race lead,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-2017/stage-3/results/|title=Tour de l'Ain: FDJ go 1-2 in stage 3 with Gaudu and Pinot|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=11 August 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and then cemented his race victory with a further second-place stage finish to Alexandre Geniez on the final stage in Culoz.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-2017/stage-4/results/|title=Pinot wins Tour de l'Ain|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=12 August 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He finished the season off by riding the Italian autumn classics; he finished in second place at Tre Valli Varesine (again beaten by Geniez),{{cite news|first=Henry|last=Robertshaw|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/alexandre-geniez-pips-thibaut-pinot-and-vincenzo-nibali-to-tre-valle-varesine-victory-353709|title=Alexandre Geniez pips Thibaut Pinot and Vincenzo Nibali to Tre Valli Varesine victory|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Time Inc. UK|date=3 October 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} fifth place at Il Lombardia,{{cite news|first=Susan|last=Westemeyer|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/il-lombardia-2017/results/|title=Vincenzo Nibali wins Il Lombardia|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=7 October 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and also finished inside the top-ten placings at the Giro dell'Emilia and Milano–Torino.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-dellemilia-2017/results/|title=Giovanni Visconti wins Giro dell'Emilia|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=30 September 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milano-torino-2017/results/|title=Uran wins Milano-Torino|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=5 October 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

File:GIR40235 pinot & co (42462549741).jpg]]

Going into the 2018 season, Pinot was yet again targeting the Giro d'Italia; but he was also looking to reduce his number of race days before the race in other to arrive more fresh at the Tour de France.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-to-reduce-race-schedule-ahead-of-2018-tour-de-france/|title=Pinot to reduce race schedule ahead of 2018 Tour de France|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-confirms-2018-giro-ditalia-participation/|title=Pinot confirms 2018 Giro d'Italia participation|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=31 January 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Prior to the Giro d'Italia, Pinot contested 14 days of racing – at the Tour du Haut Var (fifth overall),{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-surprised-by-good-form-in-2018-debut/|title=Pinot surprised by good form in 2018 debut|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=19 February 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} the Volta a Catalunya (tenth overall),{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-ciclista-a-catalunya-2018/stage-7/results/|title=Volta a Catalunya: Simon Yates wins final stage, Valverde takes overall|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=25 March 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and the Tour of the Alps, which he won.{{cite news|first=Henry|last=Robertshaw|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/thibaut-pinot-wins-tour-alps-overall-mark-padun-claims-final-stage-377044|title=Thibaut Pinot wins Tour of the Alps overall as Mark Padun claims final stage|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=TI Media|date=20 April 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} At the Giro d'Italia, Pinot recorded four top-three stage finishes, and with two stages remaining, was lying third overall in the general classification.{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2018/stage-19/results/|title=Giro d'Italia stage 19: Chris Froome steals maglia rosa with 80km solo attack|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=25 May 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} However, on the penultimate stage, he faltered on the penultimate first-category climb – the Col de Saint-Pantaléon{{cite news|first=Stu|last=Bowers|url=http://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/4801/giro-ditalia-2018-stage-20-spoils-go-to-nieve-but-crucially-froome-holds-on-to-pink|title=Giro d'Italia 2018: Stage 20 spoils go to Nieve but crucially Froome holds on to pink|work=Cyclist|date=27 May 2018}} – and within the last {{convert|50|km|abbr=off}} of the stage, lost more than 45 minutes to the stage winner, Mikel Nieve. He was hospitalised post-stage in Aosta due to dehydration, exhaustion, fever and respiratory problems.{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-ditalia-exhausted-pinot-endures-longest-day/|title=Giro d'Italia: Exhausted Pinot endures longest day|publisher=www.cyclingnews.com|date=27 May 2018}} Having dropped to 16th overall, Pinot abandoned the race before the start of the final stage.{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Battaglia|url=https://www.flobikes.com/articles/6206092-thibaut-pinot-suffering-from-lung-infection|title=Thibaut Pinot Suffering From Lung Infection|publisher=www.flobikes.com|date=28 May 2018}} Unable to fully recover from the fatigue and pneumonia suffered during the Giro d'Italia, Pinot's {{UCI team code|FDJ|2018b}} team announced that he would not ride the Tour de France.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-to-miss-tour-de-france/|title=Pinot to miss Tour de France|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=15 July 2018}}

His next race was at the Tour de Pologne,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-to-take-on-the-vuelta-a-espana/|title=Pinot to take on the Vuelta a Espana|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=28 July 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} where he finished on the podium in third place overall, having recorded a second-place finish on the hilly final stage.{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-pologne-2018/stage-7/results/|title=Tour de Pologne: Simon Yates solos to stage victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=10 August 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He then rode the Vuelta a España for the first time since 2014, where he lost time in the opening week due to a combination of crosswinds and crashes on stage 6.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-espana-2018/stage-6/results/|title=Vuelta a Espana 2018: Stage 6 Results|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=15 September 2018}} He was part of the breakaway on stage 11, and held the virtual race lead for most of the stage,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/05/alessandro-de-marchi-powers-to-victory-on-stage-11-la-vuelta-cycling|title=Alessandro De Marchi wins stage 11 as Simon Yates clings on to Vuelta lead|work=The Guardian|agency=Press Association|date=5 September 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=Thibaut Pinot had threatened to wrestle away the advantage from 26-year-old Yates, riding half of the race in the virtual overall lead.}} but ultimately only gained 12 seconds on the day to the general classification contenders. He finished fourth on stage 14,{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Windsor|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/simon-yates-reclaims-red-jersey-victory-vuelta-espana-stage-14-393574|title=Simon Yates reclaims red jersey with victory on Vuelta a España stage 14|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=TI Media|date=8 September 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} before taking victory on the following stage, which finished at the Lakes of Covadonga.{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Windsor|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/thibaut-pinot-wins-lagos-de-covadonga-yates-extends-lead-vuelta-espana-stage-15-393637|title=Thibaut Pinot wins on Lagos de Covadonga as Yates extends lead on Vuelta a España stage 15|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=TI Media|date=9 September 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He attacked with approximately {{convert|6|km|abbr=off}} remaining, soloing clear to a 28-second victory over his closest competitor, Miguel Ángel López, giving him stage wins at all three Grand Tours.{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-completes-grand-tour-stage-victory-set-at-vuelta-a-espana/|title=Pinot completes Grand Tour stage victory set at Vuelta a Espana|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=9 September 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He added a second stage victory on stage 19 in Andorra, pulling clear of Simon Yates in the closing metres,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/14/simon-yates-vuelta-espana-stage-19-pinot|title=Simon Yates on verge of Vuelta victory as Thibaut Pinot takes stage 19|last=Moore|first=Richard|authorlink=Richard Moore (journalist)|date=14 September 2018|website=the Guardian|access-date=15 September 2018}} and ultimately finished the race in sixth overall. At the end of the month, he finished ninth in the road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Austria.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-ends-season-early-to-prepare-for-important-2020/|title=Pinot ends season early to prepare for 'important' 2020|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=6 September 2019|accessdate=13 July 2023}} In October, Pinot won both Milano–Torino and Il Lombardia, with solo moves of approximately {{convert|1|km|abbr=off}} and {{convert|14|km|abbr=off}} respectively.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/thibaut-pinot-wins-milano-torino-uphill-crash-takes-rival-miguel-angel-lopez-396925|title=Thibaut Pinot wins Milano–Torino as uphill crash takes out rival Miguel Ángel López – Cycling Weekly|date=10 October 2018|work=Cycling Weekly|access-date=13 October 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/cycling/il-lombardia/2018/cycling-news-thibaut-pinot-soloes-to-il-lombardia-glory_sto6970021/story.shtml|title=Cycling news – Thibaut Pinot solos to Il Lombardia glory|date=13 October 2018|work=Eurosport UK|access-date=13 October 2018}}

File:Signature Reims 95513.jpg]]

Pinot started his season in February at the Tour de la Provence,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-to-start-2019-season-at-tour-la-provence/|title=Pinot to start 2019 season at Tour la Provence|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|date=20 December 2018|accessdate=13 July 2023}} where he finished in fourth place, before taking the overall victory at the Tour du Haut Var with a final-stage victory at Mont Faron.{{cite news|url=https://www.estrepublicain.fr/sport-franc-comtois/2019/02/24/cyclisme-thibaut-pinot-triomphe-au-mont-faron|title=Cyclisme : Thibaut Pinot triomphe au Mont Faron|language=French|trans-title=Cycling: Thibaut Pinot triumphs at Mont Faron|work=L'Est Républicain|publisher=Groupe EBRA|date=24 February 2019|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He finished in fifth place in the UCI World Tour races Tirreno–Adriatico and the Critérium du Dauphiné,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-on-track-for-tour-de-france-after-tour-de-lain-victory/|title=Pinot on track for Tour de France after Tour de l'Ain victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=28 May 2019|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/criterium-du-dauphine-2019/stage-8/results/|title=Criterium du Dauphine: Fuglsang takes overall victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=16 June 2019|accessdate=13 July 2023}} either side of his second overall victory at the Tour de l'Ain, where he also won the final stage to the Col du Grand Colombier, as well as the points and mountains classifications. At the Tour de France, he moved up to third overall by the second weekend of the race before dropping outside the top-ten placings ahead of the first race day. He worked his way back up the general classification, and won stage 14, which finished

on the Col du Tourmalet,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/20/thibaut-pinot-tour-de-france-stage-14-julian-alaphilippe-geraint-thomas-tourmalet|title=Pinot wins Tour de France stage 14 and Alaphilippe extends lead over Thomas|last=Whittle|first=Jeremy|date=20 July 2019|work=The Observer|access-date=26 July 2019|issn=0029-7712}} and according to The Guardian, Pinot was seen to be the biggest rival to the {{UCI team code|INS|2019b}} pairing of Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/24/tour-de-france-thibaut-pinot-team-ineos-geraint-thomas-egan-bernal|title=Thibaut Pinot can take Tour de France challenge to Team Ineos in mountains|last=Whittle|first=Jeremy|date=24 July 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 July 2019|issn=0261-3077}} Unfortunately he suffered an injury late on stage 18 – a torn quadriceps – and this forced him to abandon the race the following day,{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thibaut-pinot-abandons-tour-de-france/|title=Thibaut Pinot abandons Tour de France|date=26 July 2019|website=Cycling News|access-date=26 July 2019}} prior to the stage being neutralised due to a landslide.{{cite news|first=Victor|last=Mather|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/26/sports/cycling/tour-de-france-yellow-jersey-pinot-bernal.html|title=Tour de France Lead Changes Hands as Hail Shortens Stage|website=The New York Times|date=26 July 2019|accessdate=13 July 2023}} In September, he announced the end to his campaign to prepare for the 2020 season.

File:2020-09 - TdF 2020 - Mélisey (Haute-Saône) - 64.jpg]]

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic-enforced suspension of racing in March 2020, Pinot took three top-ten overall finishes from as many starts, at the Tour de la Provence (seventh),{{cite news|first=Marianne|last=Naquet|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/cyclisme/paris-nice-thibaut-pinot-je-vais-faire-le-mieux-possible-je-dois-reprendre-le-rythme-de-la-1583658869|title=Paris-Nice : Thibaut Pinot "Je vais faire le mieux possible, je dois reprendre le rythme de la compétition"|language=French|trans-title=Paris-Nice: Thibaut Pinot "I'm going to do the best I can, I have to get back to the rhythm of the competition"|work=France Bleu|publisher=Radio France|date=8 March 2020|accessdate=13 July 2023}} the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var (sixth), and Paris–Nice (fifth in his inaugural start).{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thibaut-pinot-to-make-paris-nice-debut-in-2020/|title=Thibaut Pinot to make Paris-Nice debut in 2020|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=17 December 2019|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thibaut-pinot-im-at-my-peak-but-2020-could-be-a-lost-year/|title=Thibaut Pinot: I'm at my peak but 2020 could be a lost year|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=24 March 2020|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=Speaking publicly for the first time since he placed fifth at Paris-Nice 10 days ago [...]}} After racing resumed in August, Pinot contested the Route d'Occitanie and the Critérium du Dauphiné as warm-up races for the delayed Tour de France, finishing fourth and second respectively.{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Cossins|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/thibaut-pinot-on-right-track-for-tour-de-france-victory/|title=Thibaut Pinot 'on right track' for Tour de France victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=28 August 2020|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He struggled with back issues during the Tour de France, following a crash on the opening stage, losing 25 minutes in the general classification,{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/i-had-so-much-back-pain-i-couldnt-pedal-says-thibaut-pinot-after-disastrous-end-to-tour-de-france-goal/|title='I had so much back pain, I couldn't pedal' says Thibaut Pinot after disastrous end to Tour de France goal|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=6 September 2020|accessdate=13 July 2023}} prior to the first rest day. His only other start came at the Vuelta a España, where he withdrew after two stages due to lingering back issues.{{cite news|first=Alex|last=Ballinger|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/thibaut-pinot-abandons-vuelta-a-espana-2020-473452|title=Thibaut Pinot abandons Vuelta a España 2020|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Future plc|date=22 October 2020|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

For the 2021 season, Pinot had initially targeted to compete in the Giro d'Italia and to miss the Tour de France.{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thibaut-pinot-will-skip-2021-tour-de-france-in-favour-of-giro-ditalia/|title=Thibaut Pinot will skip 2021 Tour de France in favour of Giro d'Italia|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=19 January 2021|accessdate=13 July 2023}} However, his back injury from 2020 was continuing to effect his progress as he recorded only one top-ten race finish in the first few months of the season, with eighth at the Ardèche Classic. Following the Tour of the Alps, it was announced that Pinot would skip the Giro d'Italia due to the back issues.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Benson|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/heartbroken-thibaut-pinot-ruled-out-of-giro-ditalia-due-to-back-injury/|title='Heartbroken' Thibaut Pinot ruled out of Giro d'Italia due to back injury|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=24 April 2021|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Following this, Pinot did not return to racing until August's Tour du Limousin.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Ostanek|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thibaut-pinot-announces-comeback-starting-with-tour-du-limousin/|title=Thibaut Pinot announces comeback starting with Tour du Limousin|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=30 July 2021|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He recorded fifth-place finishes at the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs and the Coppa Bernocchi one-day races,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/classic-grand-besancon-doubs-2021/elite-men/results/|title=Girmay wins Classic Grand Besançon Doubs|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=3 September 2021|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/coppa-bernocchi-gp-banco-bpm-2021/elite-men/results/|title=Evenepoel solos to victory at Coppa Bernocchi|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=4 October 2021|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and he finished seventh overall at the Tour de Luxembourg in between.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/skoda-tour-de-luxembourg-2021/stage-5/results/|title=Tour of Luxembourg: Almeida seals overall victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=18 September 2021|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

File:Tour de Romandie 2022 Villars 7045-cropped.jpg]]

Having finished in the top ten overall at March's Tirreno–Adriatico (in eighth place),{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/cycling/tirreno-adriatico/2022/standings.shtml|title=Tirreno - Adriatico Standings 2022|work=Eurosport|publisher=Discovery, Inc.|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Pinot's first success in almost three years came the following month, winning the final stage of the 2022 Tour of the Alps; having finished second to Miguel Ángel López the previous day, Pinot got the better of David de la Cruz in the closing stages in Lienz.{{cite news|first=Luke|last=Friend|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/thibaut-pinot-wins-stage-five-of-the-tour-of-the-alps-as-romain-bardet-clinches-the-overall-title|title=Thibaut Pinot wins stage five of the Tour of the Alps as Romain Bardet clinches the overall title|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Future plc|date=23 April 2022|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He added another stage victory at June's Tour de Suisse, winning the penultimate stage into Malbun in Liechtenstein,{{cite news|first=Pete|last=Trifunovic|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/thibaut-pinot-wins-tour-de-suisse-stage-seven-as-sergio-higuita-takes-the-overall-lead|title=Thibaut Pinot wins Tour de Suisse stage seven as Sergio Higuita takes the overall lead|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Future plc|date=18 June 2022|accessdate=13 July 2023}} having spent most of the day in the breakaway. In the Grand Tours, he made it into the breakaway on three stages at both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, recording overall finishes of fourteenth and seventeenth respectively.

File:Giro 2023 GIR30054 pinot zana (52941295589).jpg during stage 18 of the 2023 Giro d'Italia. Zana out-sprinted Pinot for the stage victory, with Pinot taking the blue jersey as the leader of the mountains classification.]]

In January, Pinot announced that he would retire from the sport at the end of the 2023 season.{{cite news|first=Alexandre|last=Roos|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/Thibaut-pinot-annonce-sa-retraite-pour-la-fin-de-la-saison/1374293|title=Thibaut Pinot annonce sa retraite pour la fin de la saison|language=French|trans-title=Thibaut Pinot announces his retirement for the end of the season|work=L'Équipe|publisher=Éditions Philippe Amaury|date=12 January 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} He started his season at February's Étoile de Bessèges,{{cite news|url=https://www.eurosport.fr/cyclisme/etoile-de-besseges/2023/cyclisme-thibaut-pinot-lance-la-derniere-saison-de-sa-carriere-lors-de-l-etoile-de-besseges_sto9364461/story.shtml|title=Cyclisme : Thibaut Pinot lance la dernière saison de sa carrière lors de l'Etoile de Bessèges|language=French|trans-title=Cycling: Thibaut Pinot launches the last season of his career at the Etoile de Bessèges|work=Eurosport|publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery|date=1 February 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} where he finished in sixth place overall.{{cite news|first=Nicolas|last=Gauthier|url=https://www.cyclismactu.net/news-cyclisme-etoile-de-besseges-thibaut-pinot-6e-du-general-je-suis-mon-niveau-72249.html|title=Étoile de Bessèges - Thibaut Pinot, 6e du général: "Je suis à mon niveau"|language=French|trans-title=Étoile de Bessèges - Thibaut Pinot, 6th overall: "I am at my level"|work=Cyclism'Actu|publisher=Swar Agency|date=6 February 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} In April, he recorded three top-five finishes in as many days at the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs (fifth),{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/im-not-just-here-to-sign-autographs-thibaut-pinot-finding-form-in-farewell-season/|title='I'm not just here to sign autographs' - Thibaut Pinot finding form in farewell season|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=15 April 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} the Tour du Jura (second to Kévin Vauquelin), and the Tour du Doubs (second to Jesús Herrada).{{cite news|first=Nicolas|last=Gachet|url=https://www.directvelo.com/actualite/103825/thibaut-pinot-c-etait-du-vrai-velo|title=Thibaut Pinot : " C'était du vrai vélo "|language=French|trans-title=Thibaut Pinot: "It was real cycling"|work=Directvelo|publisher=Association Le Peloton|date=16 April 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} Ahead of the Giro d'Italia, Pinot also contested the Tour de Romandie, where he finished in fifth place overall after a second-place stage finish on the penultimate day – a summit finish to Thyon.{{cite news|first=Nicolas|last=Gachet|url=https://www.directvelo.com/actualite/104110/thibaut-pinot-je-suis-la-ou-je-voulais-etre|title=Thibaut Pinot : " Je suis là où je voulais être "|language=French|trans-title=Thibaut Pinot: "I am where I wanted to be"|work=Directvelo|publisher=Association Le Peloton|date=29 April 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

Pinot led {{UCI team code|FDJ|2023}} at the Giro d'Italia,{{cite news|first=Jeremy|last=Whittle|url=https://www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-rouleur-journal/thibaut-pinot-retakes-centre-stage-as-groupama-fdj-juggle-in-fighting-and-form-dips|title=Thibaut Pinot retakes centre stage at the Giro d'Italia amid Groupama-FDJ's continued fragility|work=Rouleur|publisher=Gruppo Media Ltd|date=5 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} and on stage three, took the blue jersey as leader of the mountains classification,{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-rolls-back-the-years-with-early-assault-on-giro-ditalia-mountains-lead/|title=Pinot rolls back the years with early assault on Giro d'Italia mountains lead|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=8 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} having attacked on the two categorised climbs within the last {{convert|35|km|abbr=off}} of the stage. He held the lead of the classification for four days, when Davide Bais took the lead following his stage victory at Campo Imperatore.{{cite news|first=Felix|last=Lowe|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/cycling/giro-d-italia/2023/giro-ditalia-2023-davide-bais-lands-surprise-win-from-breakaway-after-gc-snoozefest-in-mountains_sto9602281/story.shtml|title=Giro d'Italia 2023: Davide Bais lands surprise win from breakaway after GC snoozefest in mountains|work=Eurosport|publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery|date=12 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=Bais led the breakaway over all three climbs on the menu to secure the maglia azzurra as well as the stage win.}} Pinot regained the classification lead on a shortened stage 13,{{cite news|first=Laura|last=Weislo|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-d-italia-2023/stage-13/results/|title=Giro d'Italia: Rubio beats Pinot, Cepeda to win abbreviated mountain stage 13|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=19 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} which was reduced to approximately {{convert|75|km|abbr=off}} and entirely held in Switzerland, due to safety concerns. He had been part of a three-rider breakaway with Einer Rubio and Jefferson Alexander Cepeda; Pinot and Cepeda traded attacks, and were both beaten to the line by Rubio.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/19/giro-ditalia-einer-rubio-wins-shortened-stage-13-as-weather-chaos-continues|title=Giro d'Italia: Einer Rubio wins shortened stage 13 as weather chaos continues|work=The Guardian|agency=Reuters|date=19 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} After Bais and then Ben Healy took over the blue jersey, Pinot regained the jersey definitively on stage 18, as he was once again beaten into second place on the stage, by Filippo Zana in Val di Zoldo.{{cite news|first=Luke|last=McLaughlin|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/25/cycling-giro-d-italia-filippo-zana-geraint-thomas-ineos-thibaut-pinot|title=Giro d'Italia: Geraint Thomas holds firm as Filippo Zana earns home stage 18 win|work=The Guardian|date=25 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} In the final two mountain stages, Pinot worked his way up from seventh overall to a fifth-place overall finish in Rome; he was 5 minutes, 43 seconds down on race winner Primož Roglič.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thibaut-pinot-pushes-for-farewell-tour-de-france-selection-after-giro-ditalia-high/|title=Thibaut Pinot pushes for farewell Tour de France selection after Giro d'Italia 'high'|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=29 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}}{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-d-italia-2023/stage-21/results/|title=Giro d'Italia: Primoz Roglic secures overall victory in Rome|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=28 May 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

Pinot lives with his partner Charlotte Patat at a hobby farm,{{cite news|first=Iain|last=Treloar|url=https://escapecollective.com/thibaut-pinot-is-one-cow-closer-to-retirement/|title=Thibaut Pinot is one cow closer to retirement|website=Escape Collective|date=20 June 2023|accessdate=13 July 2023}} in Mélisey. His brother, Julien Pinot, also competed as a cyclist and works as a directeur sportif for {{UCI team code|FDJ}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.uci.org/team-details/17720|title=Groupama - FDJ|work=UCI.org|publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale|accessdate=13 July 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604145816/https://www.uci.org/team-details/17720|archivedate=4 June 2023}} His father, Régis Pinot, has been the mayor of Mélisey since 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/cyclisme/tour-de-france-reporte-a-melisey-regis-pinot-est-pere-et-maire-18-07-2020-8355069.php|title=Tour de France reporté : à Mélisey, Régis Pinot est père et maire|language=French|trans-title=Tour de France postponed: in Mélisey, Régis Pinot is father and mayor|website=Le Parisien|date=18 July 2020|accessdate=13 July 2023|quote=Gérant d'une entreprise de pompes funèbres, le quinquagénaire est maire de Mélisey depuis 2008. [Manager of a funeral home, the 50-year-old has been mayor of Mélisey since 2008.]}}

In 2020 and 2021, the French band Jaune Mayo recorded two songs called "Tibopino" and "Tibopino Tibogiro", dedicated to the cyclist.{{Cite web|last=Treloar|first=Iain|date=26 April 2021|title=Thibaut Pinot's doomed Giro d'Italia campaign has a theme song|url=https://cyclingtips.com/2021/04/thibaut-pinots-doomed-giro-ditalia-campaign-has-a-theme-song/|access-date=26 April 2021|website=CyclingTips.com}}

Pinot is a fan of football club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).{{Cite web |last=Opoczynski |first=David |date=4 January 2022 |title=PSG : Thibaut Pinot voudrait "chanter le plus souvent possible dans le virage Auteuil"|trans-title=PSG: Thibaut Pinot would like to "sing as often as possible in the Auteuil corner"|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/psg-thibaut-pinot-voudrait-chanter-le-plus-souvent-possible-dans-le-virage-auteuil-04-01-2022-MMOYTT26DJA3HOVMWN4PVBUGAY.php |access-date=22 July 2023 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}} He has expressed support for the club's ultras movement, and has stated that he "loves attending football matches", particularly in the Parc des Princes's Auteuil stand among PSG ultras.{{Cite web |title=Pour le cycliste Thibaut Pinot, fan du PSG, les Ultras, c'est extra|trans-title=For cyclist Thibaut Pinot, fan of PSG, the Ultras are extra|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Pour-le-cycliste-thibaut-pinot-fan-du-psg-les-ultras-c-est-extra/1073827 |access-date=22 July 2023 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}

Source:{{cite web|url=https://firstcycling.com/rider.php?r=860|title=Thibaut Pinot|work=FirstCycling.com|publisher=FirstCycling AS|accessdate=13 July 2023}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

;2009

: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Giro della Valle d'Aosta

: 1st Tour du Canton de Mareuil Verteillac

: 1st Grand Prix de la ville de Delle

: 8th Overall Tour des Pays de Savoie

::1st Stage 3

;2010

: 1st {{cjersey|pink}} Mountains classification, Tour de Romandie

: 1st {{cjersey|white}} Mountains classification, Paris–Corrèze

: 5th Overall Tour de l'Ain

: 5th Tour du Finistère

;2011 (4 pro wins)

: 1st {{cjersey|tirreno}} Overall Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

::1st Stage 1

: 1st {{cjersey|Tour Alsace}} Overall Tour Alsace

::1st {{cjersey|Tour Alsace Youth}} Young rider classification

::1st Stage 5

: Tour de l'Ain

::1st Stages 2 & 4

: 2nd Overall Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour

::1st {{cjersey|purple}} Mountains classification

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

: 3rd Overall Tour of Turkey

: 3rd Tre Valli Varesine

: 7th Overall Bayern Rundfahrt

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

: 9th Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli

;2012 (2)

: 1st Stage 5 Tour de l'Ain

: 10th Overall Tour de France

::1st Stage 8

;2013

: 4th Overall Tour de Suisse

: 6th Overall Tour de l'Ain

: 7th Overall Vuelta a España

: 8th Overall Volta a Catalunya

;2014

: 3rd Overall Tour de France

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

: 4th Overall Tour du Gévaudan Languedoc-Roussillon

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

: 4th Tour du Doubs

: 5th Overall Bayern Rundfahrt

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

: 9th Overall Tour of the Basque Country

: 9th Grand Prix de Wallonie

: 10th Overall Tour de Romandie

;2015 (5)

: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Tour du Gévaudan Languedoc-Roussillon

::1st {{cjersey|green}} Points classification

::1st Stage 1

: 1st Stage 20 Tour de France

: 2nd Overall Critérium International

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

: 3rd Giro di Lombardia

: 4th Overall Tour de Romandie

::1st {{cjersey|white}} Young rider classification

::1st Stage 5

: 4th Overall Tour de Suisse

::1st Stage 5

: 4th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico

: 4th Milano–Torino

: 6th Grand Prix de Wallonie

: 6th International Road Cycling Challenge

: 10th UCI World Tour

: 10th Overall Tour of the Basque Country

;2016 (6)

: 1st {{cjersey|france}} Time trial, National Road Championships

: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Critérium International

::1st {{cjersey|green}} Points classification

::1st Stages 2 (ITT) & 3

: 1st Stage 6 Critérium du Dauphiné

: 2nd Overall Tour de Romandie

::1st Stage 3 (ITT)

: 2nd Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise

: 3rd Overall Étoile de Bessèges

: 4th Overall Tour of the Basque Country

: 4th Overall Volta ao Algarve

: 5th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico

: Tour de France

::Held {{cjersey|polkadot}} after Stages 9–11

::{{cjersey|red number}} Combativity award Stage 8

;2017 (4)

: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Tour de l'Ain

::1st {{cjersey|polkadot}} Mountains classification

: 2nd Overall Tour of the Alps

::1st Stage 5

: 2nd Tre Valli Varesine

: 3rd Overall Vuelta a Andalucía

::1st Stage 2

: 3rd Overall Tirreno–Adriatico

: 4th Overall Giro d'Italia

::1st Stage 20

: 5th Giro di Lombardia

: 8th Giro dell'Emilia

: 8th Milano–Torino

: 9th Strade Bianche

: 9th Grand Prix d'Ouverture La Marseillaise

;2018 (5)

: 1st {{cjersey|purple}} Overall Tour of the Alps

: 1st Giro di Lombardia

: 1st Milano–Torino

: 2nd Tre Valli Varesine

: 3rd Overall Tour de Pologne

: 5th Overall Tour du Haut Var

: 5th Giro dell'Emilia

: 6th Overall Vuelta a España

::1st Stages 15 & 19

: 9th Road race, UCI Road World Championships

: 10th Overall Volta a Catalunya

;2019 (5)

: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Tour de l'Ain

::1st {{cjersey|green}} Points classification

::1st {{cjersey|polkadot}} Mountains classification

::1st Stage 3

: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Tour du Haut Var

::1st {{cjersey|green}} Points classification

::1st Stage 3

: 1st Stage 14 Tour de France

: 4th Overall Tour de la Provence

: 5th Overall Critérium du Dauphiné

: 5th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico

;2020

: 2nd Overall Critérium du Dauphiné

: 4th Overall Route d'Occitanie

: 5th Overall Paris–Nice

: 6th Overall Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var

: 7th Overall Tour de la Provence

;2021

: 5th Coppa Bernocchi

: 5th Classic Grand Besançon Doubs

: 7th Overall Tour de Luxembourg

: 8th Ardèche Classic

;2022 (2)

: Tour of the Alps

::1st {{cjersey|red}} Sprints classification

::1st Stage 5

: 1st Stage 7 Tour de Suisse

: 8th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico

: {{cjersey|red number}} Combativity award Stage 9 Tour de France

;2023

: 2nd Tour du Doubs

: 2nd Tour du Jura

: 5th Overall Giro d'Italia

::1st {{cjersey|azul}} Mountains classification

::{{cjersey|red number}} Combativity award Stages 13, 18 & 20

: 5th Overall Tour de Romandie

: 5th Classic Grand Besançon Doubs

: 6th Overall Étoile de Bessèges

: 10th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico

: 20px Combativity award Stage 20 Tour de France

{{div col end}}

File:Thibaut Pinot in during TDF 2023.jpg in 2023, winning the combativity award on the penultimate stage as he finished eleventh overall]]

• Vélo d'Or français: 2015, 2018{{Cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/Alejandro-valverde-elu-velo-d-or-2018-thibaut-pinot-est-le-velo-d-or-francais/953237|title=Alejandro Valverde élu Vélo d'or 2018, Thibaut Pinot est le Vélo d'or français|work=L'Équipe|access-date=27 October 2018|language=fr-FR}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinot, Thibaut}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:French male cyclists

Category:French Tour de France stage winners

Category:French Giro d'Italia stage winners

Category:French Vuelta a España stage winners

Category:Tour de Guadeloupe cyclists

Category:Sportspeople from Haute-Saône

Category:2012 Tour de France stage winners

Category:Tour de Suisse stage winners

Category:Cyclists from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Category:21st-century French sportsmen