French Mont Ventoux hero sees positives in Evenepoel's exit: 'It could bring a new energy to the team'
Remco Evenepoel will join Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe in 2026, marking a major shift both in his career and in the structure of his former team. Over the past seven seasons, the Belgian established himself as the defining figure of Soudal Quick-Step, amassing 67 professional victories. His former teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre believes the move could be a blessing in disguise for those he leaves behind.
For Paret-Peintre, the change represents both an ending and a chance for renewal. The French climber joined Soudal Quick-Step in 2025 to strengthen the team’s climbing unit, spending much of the early season recovering from a fractured tailbone.
By the Tour de France, he was back in form and ready to work for Evenepoel in the mountains. When the Belgian was forced to abandon on stage 14, drained on the Col du Tourmalet, Paret-Peintre took his own chance two days later and delivered a memorable solo win on Mont Ventoux.
“I still get goosebumps talking about it,” he told La Dernière Heure in Singapore, where he attended a post-season criterium.
Looking ahead, Paret-Peintre expects Evenepoel’s exit to reshape the team dynamic. “Remco’s departure will inevitably lead to a redistribution within the team,” he said.
“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. 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.”
Paret-Peintre’s words echo those of teammate Ilan Van Wilder, who recently spoke about embracing a new chapter for the Belgian squad. “Some riders will blossom,” Van Wilder told HLN.
“Hopefully I’ll be one of them. We’ll return to our roots, focusing more on our strength in depth and the real Wolfpack spirit. I’m confident we’ll keep performing strongly as a team, even without Remco. It’ll just be a bit different to how it’s been in recent years.”
The sense of renewal runs through every part of the team. With Niki Terpstra, Sep Vanmarcke and Tim Declercq taking up key roles, Soudal Quick-Step is clearly leaning back into its Classics DNA.
The arrival of riders like Dylan van Baarle and Jasper Stuyven confirms the shift toward a more aggressive, collective style of racing. For Van Wilder and Paret-Peintre, it marks the start of a new chapter and the chance to shape the next great chapter in the team’s history.
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