It has been exactly 10 years since Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) first tackled La Planche des Belles Fils in the Tour de France, but as the Frenchman reflected at the start of stage 6 on Thursday morning, the climb was "different and special" for him and the race It's different and special."

Born and raised in his hometown in the Vosges Mountains, Pinot's best result in Planche, where he has witnessed this ultra-steep forest road climb in the last five Tours, was in 2014, when he finished second behind Vincenzo Nibali.

But in 2019, when La Planche des Belle Filles became La Super Planche des Belle Filles and an off-road section was added at the top, the Frenchman also took a notable fifth place.

"La Planche is a special place unlike any other because of its location and because it is often the first big climb of the race," Pinot said. La Planche has appeared in the first week of every previous Tour, with the exception of 2020, when the final uphill time trial was held.

"So every time it is a very important part of the route and all the leaders have to climb it. It's the first big climb rendezvous of the race."

Pinot said that winning such a prestigious victory in his hometown is a great result, but said that perhaps he is less concerned with his personal result, as he is a team member supporting David Gault, the leader of the Groupama-FDJ. Rather, he said, "In any case, the top group will have to be really careful." Pinot currently sits in 40th place overall, 5:11 behind Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates).

Regardless of the outcome, Pino said La Planche des Belle Filles was an important result for his region, bringing the southern Vosges region to the attention of the international sports crowd. Besides, La Super Planche des Belle Filles will host the final stage of the Tour de France Femme this July.

"In any case, it's a big bonus for me that it's in my hometown and in the mountains where I live.