"I feel freer to do what I want": Quick-Step climber excited to switch to a stage hunter role after Evenepoel's departure

Soudal - Quick-Step enters a new era in 2026, the era without Remco Evenepoel. While a large challenge, this is also the opportunity some of the team's climbers starved for. And among them stands out Valentin Paret-Peintre. One of the lightest riders in the peloton at mere 52 kilograms, the Frenchman is not to be taken lightly when the percentages get steep and peloton thins out.

The last season of Paret-Peintre was anything but smooth because of his Volta a Catalunya injured which shattered his plans for the spring. After a queen stage victory and 2nd place overall at Tour of Oman early into the 2025 season, that was a bitter pill to swallow. But the 25-year-old bounced back to win a Tour de France stage up the iconic Mont Ventoux.

As a French climber, there's always that question of whether you can become "the next Hinault or Anquetil", but Paret-Peintre immediately makes it clear in an interview with Marca that he's much better suited to be a stage hunter. But regardless of the role team assigns him, the young rider doesn't let the expectations of public get to him:

"Even when I'm racing for the GC, I do it without pressure. I think it's better that way. But if I have to choose, I prefer racing for the stages."

The departure of Evenepoel is a clear signal that the "polished" GC team of Soudal - Quick-Step will no longer acquire as much care as with the Olympic champion on-board as the the focus shifts back to Classics. But that doesn't mean there's no longer a place for talented climbers. As a matter of fact, stage hunters like Paret-Peintre perfectly fit with the re-discovered mentality.

"A lot has changed, but now we're more focused on classifications. It's more in the team's DNA. For me, there's less pressure on the road and I feel freer to do what I want."

Without Remco, Quick-Step's best GC card is now Mikel Landa whose 2025 campaign was even greater "what if" than that of Paret-Peintre. The Spaniard was supposed to have his shot at a GC at the Giro d'Italia before supporting Evenepoel at the Tour, but a hard crash on the first day of Corsa Rosa completely altered his season. In 2026, Landa will return to ride the Giro-Tour double, and maybe even the Vuelta...

What are Paret-Peintre's predictions for his more experienced teammate? "He's a very good climber. He's a bit older now, but he's in good shape. I think he can get a top 5 or even a podium finish in a Grand Tour. He has enough experience to do well in the general classification and he knows how to do it."

But if overall result drifts away, the entire Wolfpack will be ready to change gears and follow the 'B' plan. "There's always room for improvisation. You never know what can happen in cycling: a puncture at a bad time, a dip in performance… You can never win in advance," Paret-Peintre concludes.