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,"
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- exactly... Holm's comment it's just cheap demagoguery.
maria2024202411-01-2025 - the first two commentators got at this already, but the above article has such a sneering tone i think it’s annoying a bunch of us… Living in WARM, SUNNY PLACES is kinda part of being a competitive cyclist. you know, training in winter and stuff? but even if it WASN’T, sheesh… I like and respect wout, too, but not because (let’s imagine) he drives a 1974 chevy vega and lives in belgium year ‘round.OCexile11-01-2025
- I get him completely, you can be great already but still far from what you could (have) achieve(d). Surprises aside, I think resultswise she’ll do just fine in the new team, after all she never really had to rely on one to get them.Mistermaumau11-01-2025
- Surely, Mikel Landa can speak purely will be a good DS in the future after retirement.
James2631811-01-2025 - Primoz also “lives” there (no-ne in their right mind would actually physically stay there all year but most of the “residents” probably only spend a few months, if not weeks at “home”. No-one seems to know much about this MVDP car, as I said before, I doubt it’s his.Mistermaumau11-01-2025
- Tadej lives in Monaco, Van der poel drives a Ferrari (or Lamborghini), a lot of cyclists get tanned in beautiful beaches... and they are Champs and deserve respect too. It's called "calendar" and money (and/or) career goals to reach.maria2024202411-01-2025
- OCexile, you sound almost contradictory, "greatness that she is capable of" as if it's a question, when you also list all her accomplishments in just 4 years - that already seems kinda great to me! The question seems to be if she can keep this up, especially with a new team. She's a great rider to watch, that's for sure.RidesHills10-01-2025
- What, you did a survey? Of what the whole peleton?Jumpyjohn10-01-2025
- Just because Remco said that he will fully focus on the Tour it doesn't mean that he'll actually be competitive for the winvappaxbipmv10-01-2025
- Well, there we have it, bar injuries the TdF will be like the musketeers or tennis the last decade, a terrifying trio plus one.Jumpyjohn10-01-2025