{"id":836892,"date":"2026-07-30T22:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T22:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/836892\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T22:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T22:54:09","slug":"but-of-course-thibaut-pinot-joins-wildfire-fight-in-his-french-hometown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/836892\/","title":{"rendered":"But of course: Thibaut Pinot joins wildfire fight in his French hometown"},"content":{"rendered":"

How can you not love this guy anymore? I mean, Thibaut Pinot<\/a> and his goats and cows and chickens, oh my, was charming. But this time the former pro was back in the community he calls home this week, but for even more important reasons. Not all heroes wear Lycra, or something. (Or used to. I\u2019m sure the dude still does when he\u2019s not mucking stalls and stuff.)<\/p>\n

The French star was spotted helping firefighters tackle a major blaze in M\u00e9lisey, a village in the Haute-Sa\u00f4ne region of eastern France. Wildfires seem to be all over the place these days\u2013certainly we Canucks know this\u2013and sure, they disrupt races, but there\u2019s more important things to worry about. Entire communities, houses, the safety of the locals. (And the animals!)<\/p>\n

Pinot\u2019s plea<\/p>\n

According to Eurosport<\/a>, Pinot joined local farmers who supported emergency crews after a fire broke out on Monday, July 27. The former Tour de France stage winner was seen driving a quad alongside other farmers who were transporting water pumped from nearby ponds to the scene.<\/p>\n

Cyclists with goats is becoming quite a nice set! \ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\udc10#Schelling<\/a> #Poels<\/a> #Pogi<\/a> #Pinot<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Tq7lE86wEO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tonke (@TonkeCycling) April 30, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Pinot, who retired from pro cycling in 2023, is still living in M\u00e9lisey, where he runs a farm. Around 10 local farmers reportedly helped firefighters by bringing water supplies as crews worked to contain the flames.<\/p>\n

The fire destroyed a home and burned through around three hectares of brushland. Around 50 firefighters were called in to fight the blaze. Local reports said the homeowner later admitted burning cardboard, and was placed in custody over allegations related to endangering others and an accidental forest fire.<\/p>\n

The dude is known for being a great cyclist, but also for his connection to his hometown. Pinot has often embraced his life away from cycling, spending much of his time farming in the region. We\u2019ve all seen the guy with his goats, but in terms of his involvement as a pro cyclist and community, he kinda is the GOAT. (Sorry, Pogi.) Love to see it.<\/p>\n