How Thibaut Pinot CHANGED Cycling FOREVER with Watts
Source: Watts Youtube Channel: How Thibaut Pinot CHANGED Cycling FOREVER
Video How Thibaut Pinot CHANGED Cycling FOREVER with Watts Youtube Channel
Video How Thibaut Pinot CHANGED Cycling FOREVER with Watts YouTube Channel.
How Thibaut Pinot CHANGED Cycling FOREVER | Watts
The Legacy of Tibo Pino: A Look Back on a Cycling Legend
A Farewell to a Hero
It was October 7th, 2023, and the ill Lombardia was in full effect on the steep slopes of the Kaperto, only a few kilometers from the Finish Line. Hundreds of DieHard fans had crowded the road, all there for the same reason – to say farewell to their hero, Tibo Pino. As he passed the massive crowd of endless support, admiration, and appreciation, the police tried everything to hold back the chanting, cheering horde of Pino’s Ultra fans saying goodbye to him on his last ever professional race.
A Fitting Goodbye
Tibo Pino’s last season as a pro was a fitting goodbye to say the least. At his last Giro d’Italia, Pino rode with his heart on his sleeve and just barely missed a few stage wins because of it. He still ended up finishing fifth overall and wore the climbers’ Jersey as compensation. Then there was his last dance with the Tour de France, where he was flirting with the top 10 GC Riders and became the emotional nucleus of the 20th stage on home roads. But the most important of them all was the ill Lombardia, which was his final race and a race he still calls his greatest victory of 2018 when he solo won it.
The Road to Glory and Heartbreak
Pino first became known back in 2012 at that year’s edition of the Tour de France where he managed to pull off a stage win while being the youngest rider in the race. He quickly established himself as the next great hope of French cycling after finishing third at the Tour de France while boasting the white jersey. In 2015, the Frenchman’s fans were going wild after he won a stage on Bastille day at the L’Alpe d’Huez. But it was both glory and heartbreak that made Pino one of the most loved Riders. At the 2019 Tour de France, he looked as dangerous as ever, comfortably sitting in third place in general classification all the way to the 20th stage when he got pneumonia and had to withdraw from the race.
The Irreplaceable Tibo Pino
One thing that cannot be overlooked is the sheer loyalty and admiration of Tibo’s teammates throughout his entire career. He wasn’t just any rider – as the cycling world pursued technical advances and marginal gains, he leaned further into feeling. This decreased his quality as a rider over time but made him a superstar in the eyes of countless fans. His popular Instagram profile showcased his life together with his partner and his farm in the little village where he grew up, providing insight into the life of the man behind the bike.
A Lasting Legacy
Only Victory is Beautiful
As Pino climbed to the finish of his career through hundreds of fans who dropped all their plans to support him with songs being sung, flags flown, and tears shed, he made a statement during the race. “I said to myself today I am unable to win, but I already won it. I had a few questions before coming here, but in the end, I won’t regret it because it was a great party.”
A Deep Impression on the Sport
Looking back at his list of achievements, the wins, the losses, and everything else in between. One thing is clear – Tibo has left a deep impression on the sport and has changed how cycling is looked at forever. What we will remember from his career will not be the beauty of his victories, even though we must give credit where credit is due, but it will be the beauty of trying, failing, and then trying over and over again.
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