Thibaut Pinot (FDJ.fr) wanted to experience the Vuelta a España since the very beginning of his career. He’ll make his debut in the Spanish Grand Tour one year later than planned, after a major disillusion at the Tour de France. He reached Galicia on Wednesday with a huge desire to be a happy cyclist again.

It was heartbreaking for Pinot to quit the Tour de France after the second rest day. The Vuelta is kind of a re-exam for the young Frenchman who was so brilliant last year as he became the first U-23 rider to make the top 10 of the Tour overall since 1947.

“I’m impatient”, he said on his way to Spain. “I’m hungry for racing. I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the peloton again. I’ve trained a lot but nothing replaces the competition.”

Pinot had the Vuelta on his race calendar in 2012 but a late call for the Tour de France changed his plans. “This year, I was going to ride the Vuelta anyway”, explained the 23-year- old. “Initially, it was with the aim of gearing up for the world championships that I absolutely want to take part in this time around. My abandon at the Tour de France has modified the situation. At the Vuelta, I want to be happy racing again, but I’m also looking at fighting with the best climbers on a terrain that suits me very well.”

He resumed racing at the Tour de l’Ain after being cured for his throat infection and finished sixth overall. “Had it been a WorldTour event, I wouldn’t have had the required level”, he observed. “That’s why I’m not going to the Vuelta with too high ambitions. I’d be happy with a stage win, or at least with being among the best climbers in the hard stages. We’ll draw the first conclusions after the first week of racing. The only thing I’m sure of: I don’t want to live with my disillusion of the Tour de France any longer.”

Like his rivals, Pinot has had a chance to look at the route of the Vuelta. The first week inspired him and increased his motivation in training. “Twelve uphill finishes are better for me than three or four at the Tour de France,” he realized. “But I also know that it’ll be crucial from day 1 onwards. Firstly, my team-mates and I will try to limit the damage in the 27-km team time trial. I know that I’ll enjoy this race a lot if I’m in good form. That’s what I need. The Vuelta is certainly not a second-tier race. The level of climbers lining up is impressive.”