Thibault Pinot said he needs to be patient as he realizes his return to competitive action after an extended break following his dramatic abandonment at the 2019 Tour de France.

The Groupama-FDJ rider, who finished seventh overall in the Tour de la Provence, had not competed since last July. He left the Tour de France with a thigh muscle injury and ultimately opted not to race again in 2019.

Pinot was one of the riders to watch at the Tour de la Provence, but was unable to keep up with the relentless pace of Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) in the mountain finish of stage 3 at Chalet Reynard, 7km from the summit of Mont Ventoux.

The Frenchman finished in ninth place, 2:12 behind Quintana, who went on to win the overall.

"My first target is Paris-Nice in March," Pinot said, according to L'Équipe (open in new tab). There is no need to panic. I need to stay calm and be patient, even if it is not my forte. I gave my maximum this week, but I was beaten by stronger players. I have no regrets."

Pinot suffered from stomach problems in the first two stages of the race, but he did not use that as an excuse in Mont Ventoux.

On Sunday's final stage, Pinot led the peloton on the first climb and accelerated on the Côte de la Clyde.

"He needs this kind of effort to get back to his best level," said Philippe Maudouy, director sportif of Groupama-FDJ.

"It will take some races to find the Thibault of last year, but looking at his values in training, physically he is at the same level as last year."

Twelve months ago, Pinot finished fourth overall in Provence and won the Tour du Haut Var the following week in Mont Faron to take the overall win.The 29-year-old Pinot will again compete in the three-stage Tour du Haut Var, the final test before his Paris-Nice debut next month He will be back in the Tour du Haut Var for the final test before his Paris-Nice debut next month.

"My ambition is to do the best I can," Pinot said.

"There are some big leaders there, and it's good to measure myself again. It will be another test. Either way, it's good to be back competing. I can train any way I want, but there is no substitute for racing."