"Landismo is serenity, experience, patience and that touch of ambition" - Paret-Peintre on teammates, Mont Ventoux and potential Giro GC bid

Valentin Paret-Peintre is one of Soudal - Quick-Step's most interesting cards and with Remco Evenepoel departing, he gains a new role in the team. More opportunities, more freedom, but also more responsibility.

"I think we are entering a new phase for Soudal Quick-Step. The team wants to refocus on specific goals. For me, it's not a negative thing, we can grow as a team and as riders. I feel that there is now more room for others to step up," Paret-Peintre shared with Marca in Japan at the Saitama Criterium.

As the winner of the Mont Ventoux stage this July, he has been a frequent figure in the post-Tour criteriums - being one of the French headliners because of this, too. "It was a very special day for me. It was unexpected, and since then my life has changed a bit. The reaction from people has been very nice, even here in Japan. I felt like a new chapter was beginning."

Quick-Step is changing and going back to prioritizing the classics and sprints. However, Paret-Peintre is still koined by Mikel Landa, Ilan van Wilder and William Junior Lecerf in 2026, who continue to form a solid mountain block in the World Tour field.

"I wouldn't say there are rigid hierarchies. Mikel is very strong in the general classification, Ilan is very strong in time trials, and I think I can do well in the mountains. Each of us can contribute depending on the terrain," he believes.

In 2025 Paret-Peintre and Landa were supposed to race the Giro d'Italia together, but for both riders luck was not present. Still, asked about his Basque teammate, the response was rather interesting: "Landismo is serenity, experience, patience and that touch of ambition that is always there."

On the Frenchman's weight, often discussed by the cycling community, the response remains the same. "I'm trying to gain some weight, but it's difficult for me. My body has been like this since I was a child. It's an advantage in the mountains, so I want to stay light, although I know it's not perfect on other terrains." According to ProCyclingStats, he currently weights 52Kg at 1.78 meters.

"Right now, my big goal is to win a stage in La Vuelta. It's the only Grand Tour where I haven't won yet, and it would be very important for me After that, yes, I think I could try for the overall classification in the Giro. For the Tour, I don't feel ready to think about the overall classification yet".

Through this, it is possible to interpret that most likely, the Frenchman will race the Giro-Tour double in 2026, skipping the Tour de France where he has achieved his goal this year. After his breakthrough performance at the 2024 Giro working for Ben O'Connor, it is also viable to believe he could resist the three weeks of racing.

Asked about compatriot Paul Seixas who is likely to be in the French headlines throughout the coming years, Paret-Peintre skipped no complements: "He's at an incredible level and still has a lot of room for improvement. But right now, Pogačar is way ahead. We'll see how each of them develops".