FDJ rider Thibaut Pinot of France celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 110.5-km (68.6 miles) 20th stage of the 102nd Tour de France cycling race from Modane to Alpe d'Huez in the French Alps mountains, France, July 25, 2015. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
PARIS (Reuters) - French riders' chances of winning the Tour de France have long been hampered by their inability to perform in time trials, but Thibaut Pinot's FDJ team have changed their approach and the youngster may now be ready to take on the best against the clock.
The 25-year-old, third overall in the 2014 Tour and winner of the prestigious Alpe d'Huez stage last year, beat specialists Tom Dumoulin and Chris Froome in last week's individual time trial at the Tour de Romandie, in which he finished second overall behind Nairo Quintana.
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