Pinot shows guts and class to close in on podium bid

CHAMROUSSE France (Reuters) - Early in the final ascent, Thibaut Pinot narrowed his eyes and circled around the yellow jersey group, as if weighing up the form of his rivals.

Then he upped the pace, demonstrating he would be a force to be reckoned with in the stage - and later, too, after showing guts and class on the bike in the first Alpine stage of the Tour de France.