France’s Thibaut Pinot laid down a Tour de France marker when the FDJ rider powered to a mountaintop victory in the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse in Soelden, Austria, on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old, who finished third in last year’s Tour, motored away from a group of favorites to record his second win of the season after he also claimed the Queen stage of the Tour de Romandie last month.
Pinot defeated Italy’s Domenico Pozzovivo by 34 seconds and Slovenian Simon Spilak by 37 seconds.
Photo: EPA
Overall, he leads Britain’s Geraint Thomas by 47 seconds and Spilak by 50 seconds.
“I was the favorite this morning,” Pinot said after the win. “I needed to take my responsibilities and it could have scared me, but I did take my responsibilities and that’s what I’m taking from this victory.”
The stylish climber, looking to become the first Frenchman to win the Tour de France since Bernard Hinault in 1985, seemed to struggle early in the 12km climb.
However, he gradually lifted the pace and rejoined a small group of big guns before making his move with 2km remaining.
“I did not want to be in the red too early, I think it was the right tactics today,” Pinot said.
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