Thibaut Pinot recently attended a training camp organized by French national coach Bernard Borreau for the Rio Olympics. The best French rider who was awarded the Velo d’Or last month makes a positive assessment of the 2015 season that saw him win 5 races, including the Alpe d’Huez stage at the Tour de France. Now he has his eyes on 2016 where he will be focused on the Tour de France and the Olympics and will have the chance to win the French champion’s jersey close to his home.

“I took a break for one month after the Tour of Lombardy and I started to ride again earlier than usual,” he told Cyclingpro.net. “There has been extreme weather in November and it would have been stupid not to take advantage of that. I started quietly with two-hour rides, then three hours and now I am riding for four hours. I am 7-10 days ahead of schedule.”

The 2015 season was largely successful but Pinot also had some disappointments.

“Yes, I had,” he said. “Mainly the Criterium International which I should have won. And the stages of the Tour de France in Mende and in Pra Loup but maybe I would then not have had the desire that was needed to win in Alpe d'Huez. I do not forget that I did my best season and finished in the top 10 of the WorldTour. In that ranking I beat guys who got maximum points in the Tour. This top 10 means a lot to me. I scored points every month until the Tour of Lombardy.”

FDJ manager Marc Madiot recently told Cyclingpro.net that Pinot saved the season for the team.
 

“I had my leadership and I took my responsibilities,” he said. “I achieved results at a time when the FDJ team was struggling but I'm not worried. In 2016 we will again see a great Arnaud Démare and and a great Arthur Vichot.
 

“Early in the season, at Tirreno-Adriatico for example, I did well and I earned the confidence. The guys knew they could count on me. They worked for me and never hesitated because I delivered. I had the legs to do so.”

After his win in the Vuelta, Fabio Aru mentioned Pinot as a future grand tour winner.
 

“That is flattering but I know if I have to win a first Grand Tour, it will not be the Tour where the level is very very high,” the Frenchman said. “I think for me it will pass through the Giro. I will not do it in 2016 but I will do the racein 2017. I think that's the grand tour that suits me best, both the roads and the difficult weather.”

Instead, Pinot will have a traditional schedule in 2016.
 

“The goals will be pretty much the same as in 2015,” he said. “I will primarily focus on the Tour de France and the Olympics. I'll start with the Go La Marseillaise, as always, and then I'll wait to see the courses for the stage races. Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Basque Country are options. I will not return to the Tour of Oman because it is too hot. The novelty will be that I will return to the Critérium du Dauphiné to prepare for the French Championships.
 

”[I have not done the Championships] since 2012 but now it is held in Vesoul, at home. The course will be tough and undulating and not technical. The circuit is short. The climb that is located 8-9 kilometers from the finish will come often. It will be a question of pure force. It is not for the sprinters or puncheurs and because of the distance (250km), it will not be bad for climbers.
 

“[I was not surprised to have it in Vesoul] because the Tour de France’s two visits to La Planche des Belles Filles created great enthusiasm. My presence may also have played a small role. And then there's Arthur (Vichot) and Alexis (Vuillermoz). Anyway, the Franche-Comté region has great potential for cycling. The French cyclo-cross championships will take place in Besançon.”
 

In recent years, Pinot has improved his time trialling a lot but he still aims to focus heavily on what has often been his weak point.

“I will focus on the time trial because it is an important discipline all year and I will do the French Championships with great ambition. It is a goal. I hope to do well and to do the time trial at the Olympics too.”

Pinot recently met with his team in Annecy. 

“It was a very nice meeting, we should have stayed longer,” he said. “Except Marc Madiot who complained because there was no mobile network! In the team, we get along well, it was a fun and friendly training. One evening, the riders prepared the meal for the staff.
 

“It is not easy  for new riders to be integrated into a group of 70 in just one evening and we will get used to each other at the races. I know [Sébastien Reichenbach] is a good friend of Jonathan Fumeaux (IAM) like me. I know he will always be there and will train with my bodyguard Steve Morabito. I also trust that [neo-pro] Jérémy Maison will progress very quickly. And speaking about my bodyguard, I'm glad Kenny Elissonde has rediscovered his best form late in the season.  2015 also produced a new Alexandre Géniez ... If we're all going in the right direction in January, we'll have a great season.
 

“If I can win 5 races every year, it is good but I especially want to win good races, like in 2015.”