Gourdama-FDJ leader Thibaut Pinot will miss this Sunday's French national championship road race in Grand Champs, Brittany, to rest his back, which was injured in a crash during Saturday's Criterium du Dauphiné stage 4. Meanwhile, important domestique David Gaudoux also has digestive problems and will compete in the Tour du Limousin on Tuesday.

The Dauphiné crash that Pinot was involved in sent a number of riders crashing, including Jumbo-Visma's Steven Kruijswijk, with the Dutchman immediately retiring from the race with a dislocated shoulder. Kruijswijk's teammate and race leader at the time, Primoz Roglic, also crashed late in the stage and was unable to compete in Sunday's final stage.

Pinot rode strongly in the following stage 5, but was unable to prevent EF Pro Cycling's Dani Martinez from escaping on the final climb and taking the 2020 Dauphiné title, leaving Pinot in second place overall, 29 seconds behind.

Groupama-FDJ reported on Monday that Pinot will miss Sunday's French title road race and instead rest his back to allow him to fully recover for the Tour de France, which starts Saturday, August 29, in Nice.

"Due to back pain from a crash in Saturday's Dauphiné stage, Thibaut Pinot will take a rest period. 'He will not be able to compete in the French championships. He is now fully focused on the Tour de France."

David Gaudoux, one of Pinot's most trusted partners on the Tour's mountain stages, is also fighting to make the race. Forced to skip the Criterium du Dauphiné due to digestive problems, Gaudoux will start the four-day Tour du Limousin from Tuesday, August 18 to Sunday, August 21, in an effort to get back in shape before the Tour de France.

"I'm feeling much better, but this week will be tough," he said. 'The few days I didn't train or race have put me behind in my preparation. Nevertheless, I believe and hope that I can get back on track this week."