Quick-Step's new climbing star follows footsteps of Mikel Landa, not Remco Evenepoel: "I don't see him as an idol because we are only a year apart"
Cycling
Soudal - Quick-Step have in the past few years become more and more a team focused on it's climbers after the surge of João Almeida but specially Remco Evenepoel. Last year they put in big numbers to sign Mikel Landa and this winter Valentin Paret-Peintre was the most important transfer. However, the Frenchman will actually race and support Landa, not the Belgian as a priority.
"Cycling works in phases, and although 2024 was a very good season for the Decathlon, nothing guarantees that 2025 will be as good, although I wish them that," Paret-Peintre said in an interview with L'Équipe. "What made me doubt it the most was the Decathlon setting, with the comfort it offers, with people I have known for a long time. I left behind a second family after all".
The Frenchman had a breakthrough season, being a key support rider for Ben O'Connor at the UAE Tour, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España. With no doubt one of the top domestiques in the entire peloton, the pure climber also took his opportunity when given room, as he won a stage at the Giro d'Italia, beating compatriot Romain Bardet at Bocca della Selva.
But like his fellow Frenchman Lenny Martínez, Paret-Peintre also wanted to go outside of France and outside of the comfort zone. "I felt like venturing abroad, and Belgium was an easy choice since many people speak French. You do notice a different culture. In France, you are a bit in a bubble; it is difficult for a foreigner to enter a French team and for a Frenchman to go to a foreign team."
Now he finds himself in Quick-Step, where he will be in the same role as Decathlon. The decisive factor in his signing? Surprisingly not the double Olympic, reigning World Champion and Tour de France finisher Remco Evenepoel who needs the most support in the mountains. Evenepoel will race the Tour de France later this summer, but the Belgian team decided on splitting their leaders as Tim Merlier will also be given freedom at the Grand Boucle.
Instead Paret-Peintre will be racing a calendar very similar to that of one of his idols Mikel Landa. "I will assist Mikel in achieving the best possible GC and get some chances at the beginning of the season in the Drôme-Ardèche classics. Of course, there is Remco, but someone like Mikel in the team has convinced me. I will learn a lot with Mikel, which was a factor in my decision."
He explains that he has known the Belgian for many years and largely, he has seen the Basque climber on TV a lot more growing up, which makes a difference. "Remco is an example, a great champion, but I don't see him as an idol because we are only a year apart. I have known him for a long time. He won everything in the juniors and finished 10 minutes ahead of us in every race."
Hence, Paret-Peintre is set to race Tirreno-Adriatico, Volta a Catalunya and the Giro d'Italia with Landa. "First on the Giro next to Mikel, but for the Tour, it will be good to have him with Remco. Do I feel like riding the Giro and then the Tour? Not really. You must be 110% ready to ride the Tour well and enjoy it. The project with Mikel suits me perfectly,"
Read also
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 2visitors 2
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- If you go watch some races from last season other riders that have never caught Jonas...are now catching him. Some are just riding away from him and he can't hold the wheelmd197514-11-2026
- He just doesn't have the desire anymore. I read an article earlier today that said he almost retired last year. His reasoning was he is away from home to much. Visma was able to keep him riding by allowing him to skip certain camps. So, while currently Visma is doing altitude work...Jonas is at home. Which means 2 things. 1- He maybe fresher than other riders. But, not the condition. 2-Is a somewhat slap in the face to others on the team that are supposed to help him win. Yet feel like he hasn't done what they have so perhaps they don't provide as good of protection or they ride more for theme (which the team may not notice).md197514-11-2026
- Roglic could not have won anyway, after Jonas followed him when Roglic decided it was his turn for a stage win. Jonas had already attacked Kuss twice, so it was Jonas who was within seconds of taking the lead before Kuss was 'gifted' the win. It felt a bit like Roglic was being thrown under the bus when the team made his unhappiness public.Hills3314-11-2026
- POG1, another nice doc about our favourite, I watched most of it with a big smile on my face (except for the bits about his crashes 😢 obvs!).Lozza14-11-2026
- Martinez had a good year! 5th at the Tour was a great result for him, albeit largely through getting in successful breaks, but he held it better than Pidcock who’d done the same.Lozza14-11-2026
- guess what Valgren, you're 34, and no you're not good enough. sorry to say.mij14-11-2026
- I'm a sepp fan and like to think he earned that LOL, indulge me : ) I think Jonas was fine. Roglic did not want to concede to Sepp. and I don't think you ever attack your own teammate in the leaders jersey if he is holding his own, which Sepp just about was.mij14-11-2026
- enough time? he's 24 years old. He's won 10 races over the last 2 years and some are significant. I won't argue about his attitude being good - it needs to improve. But with some coaching and mentorship he has a lot of winning ahead of him and has plenty of time to win a GT. I don't think he will ever beat Tadej, but everyone else is fair game Look at Mas and Valverde - they were 31 and 29, respectively, when they won the Vuelta.mij14-11-2026
- Pogacar has a fine head on his shoulders.Careful investments and a couple of coffee shops sounds like a wonderful way to chill after an intense career.Stay healthy GOAT.
Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
Loading
1 Comments