Thibaut Pinot's final-season debut buffeted by crosswinds in Bessèges

Thibaut Pinot on the opening day of the Etoile de Besseges
Thibaut Pinot on the opening day of the Etoile de Besseges (Image credit: Sprint Cycling Agency)

Thibaut Pinot vowed to make the most of every moment of his final season, but there was no real opportunity for enjoyment as he kicked it off at the Etoile de Bessèges on an opening stage buffeted by crosswinds.

The Frenchman, who announced last month that he'll retire at the end of 2023, came through the day largely unscathed, but there was panic as he was caught out when the bunch split in the final 60km. It wasn't the easy final season debut he was perhaps hoping for. 

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Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is an NCTJ-trained journalist, and former deputy editor of Cyclingnews, who has seven years’ experience covering professional cycling. He has a modern languages degree from Durham University and has been able to put it to some use in what is a multi-lingual sport, with a particular focus on French and Spanish-speaking riders. Away from cycling, Patrick spends most of his time playing or watching other forms of sport - football, tennis, trail running, darts, to name a few, but he draws the line at rugby.