"Remco’s transfer could be good for the team in a way" - Evenepoel's departure from Quick-Step gives other leaders more freedom
Cycling
Valentin Paret-Peintre is a tremendously talented climber and this was recognized by Soudal - Quick-Step who signed him on a long-term contract. Initially set to support Remco Evenepoel in the mountains, the Frenchman now finds himself in a much more free position, where he should have plenty opportunnities from 2026 onwards.c
“I still get goosebumps talking about it. Remco’s departure will inevitably lead to a redistribution within the team," Paret-Peintre shared with La Dernière Heure. A victory at the Tour of Oman's queen stage ahead of Adam Yates and on the Mont Ventoux at the Tour made for a successful season for the 24-year old, who still raced the Dauphiné as a domestique.
He was initially planned to race the Giro d'Italia as a support rider for Mikel Landa but an injury in the spring prevented him - whilst Landa also abandoned the Corsa Rosa on the opening day. He then raced the Tour but Evenepoel's lack of top form in the mountains meant he didn't have that obbligation.
At the Vuelta a España then Paret-Peintre abandoned with another crash. So in reality, he already had quite a lot of freedom this year, but a climber of his calliber can also potentially aim for results in the stage races - not just as a stage hunter.
More space for Paret-Peintre and more...
“Until this season it was completely normal for him to be our leader in every race he entered. From now on, riders like Ilan van Wilder, Mikel Landa and myself will have to take on more responsibility," he adds, however with excitement.
"Remco’s transfer could be good for the team in a way. It could bring a new wind, allowing other riders to grow and discover themselves in new roles with greater responsibility.” The team is effectively moving onto a different era, with renewed focus on the cobbled classics, the rise of Paul Magnier and the signing of Alberto Dainese (alongside the talent of Tim Merlier) to match Alpecin-Deceuninck in the field of the sprinters.
Paret-Peintre working for Evenepoel at the Criterium du Dauphiné. @Imago
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.
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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)...
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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