Pinot: Il Lombardia reflects who I am as rider

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) often seems to be racing against himself, against his demons and against his own weaknesses and tactical errors. But his victory at Il Lombardia and the way he won the final Monument of the season swept away all Pinot’s doubts, rewarding his panache, aggression and desire to win.

“I have a tattoo that says 'Solo la vittoria e’ bella', and this is the most beautiful victory for me,” Pinot explained as he tried to understand what he had achieved by winning Il Lombardia.

“Il Lombardia is the most beautiful race of all for me. It’s a magnifique race. I think Il Lombardia reflects who I am as rider. It’s my favourite race, and to win it alone after a duel with [Vincenzo] Nibali is incredible. I think it was good to watch as it was to ride.

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“I showed what I can do today. We have live in the moment, and I believe that everything that has happened so far in my life has lead me to win Il Lombardia.”

Pinot knew it was the right moment to attack when he saw Nibali go after Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) on the final slopes of the Colma di Sormano. There were still almost 50km left to race, but he followed his instinct.

“I wanted to do something on the Sormano, and when Nibali attacked I said, ‘Bingo!’ I knew it was a good attack,” Pinot explained.

You can read more at Cyclingnews.com