The decision was not yet final but now L’Equipe has confirmed it. Thibaut Pinot will be in Sardinia on May 5 for the start of his first Giro d’Italia. 

Pinot already expressed his desire to do the Italian racein December 2015 in an interview with CyclingPro.net.

"I will not contest the race in 2016 but I will do it in 2017. I think that it is the grand tour that suits me best: the roads, difficulties and weather,” he said.

However when the course for the Tour de France was presented last October, the FDJ rider was less affirmative

"I really want to participate in the Giro," he said, admitting that he had to talk with management of the team. He repeated his wish when the Giro course was presented a little later.

It now seems that the rider and the team leaders have reached an agreement and that Pinot, a former third place finisher at the Tour de France, has received green light for the Giro. However, Pinot is still expected to be at the Tour de France as he confirmed his participation when the course which passes through his home region in the Vosges, was announced.it's at least what he had said in particular because the route passes in his region. 

Pinot’s participation in the Giro, where he will go for the GC also means that Arnaud Démare who did the Giro rather than the Tour this year to give Pinot da edicated team should be fully able to play his card in the French race.

Yesterday the other big French stage race rider Romain Bardet announced that he will skip the Giro to focus on the Tour.