Cycling-Pinot's Tour hopes vanish into thin air

By Julien Pretot LAC DE PAYOLLE, France, July 8 (Reuters) - Big things were expected of Thibaut Pinot, widely regarded as the best French hope of a Tour de France winner, but any chance of seeing the FDJ rider succeed Bernard Hinault vanished into thin air in the first tough climb of the year. Pinot, third overall in 2014, looked like he was stuck on the tar in the ascent to the Col d'Aspin, a 12-km climb at an average gradient of 6.5 percent, and lost 2:46 to the other top favourites. "I just did not have the legs," a dejected Pinot told reporters. "There is no excuse. It's the third time that I've lost ground when we have arrived in the Pyrenees." His team manager Marc Madiot was scratching his head for explanations. "He's not even at his average level, we need to understand what happened and if it can be fixed," said Madiot. In 2013, Pinot had lost all hope of a good overall finish when he cracked in the descent from the Col de Pailheres. Last year he was quickly dropped from the favourites group in the climb up to La Pierre Saint Martin but later partially made up for it by winning the Queen stage to L'Alpe d'Huez. This year Pinot was firmly expected to fight for at least a podium finish in Paris. "I've got the same sensations as at the Dauphine (a warm-up race to the Tour in June). I'm not at 100 percent and in the Tour you have to be at 100 percent," the 26-year-old said. ALREADY DEAD Pinot is now lagging 9:39 behind overall leader Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium, and about three minutes behind the other top favourites. "It's such a waste, it's almost an entire season that's reduced to dust. The Tour is the objective of a season and it's already dead," he said. Pinot explained that the plan was for him to peak for the stage ending at the top of the Mont Ventoux on July 14 just before the final week of the Tour. "We were looking to peak for the Ventoux but we're not machines. Peaking at the right time is not easy," he said. There is always a glimmer of hope that Pinot could fight it out the best but he has probably already run out of credit. "We will see tomorrow," he said, referring to Saturday's eighth stage featuring three tough climbs. "If it's like today, it's over (for a podium finish)." French hopes of a first home Tour winner since 1985 now rest with Julian Alaphilippe, who is second overall in his first Tour, and 13th placed Romain Bardet, sixth overall in 2014. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)