'More room for others to step up' - Paret-Peintre on life at Soudal Quick-Step after Evenepoel

Valentin Paret-Peintre believes Remco Evenepoel's move to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe creates new opportunities at Soudal Quick-Step, with the 24-year-old Frenchman eyeing leadership roles after his  Mont Ventoux victory at this year's Tour de France.

"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," Paret-Peintre told MARCA during the Criterium de Saitama. "We can grow as a team and as riders. I feel that there is now more room for others to step up."

During Remco Evenepoel’s tenure with Soudal Quick-Step, it’s fair to say that the Belgian team’s priorities shifted away from their roots of dominating the cobbled classics to launching a serious GC tilt in the Grand Tours with their Belgian star. 

This transition proved to be a success as new ground was broken, with Evenepoel winning the team’s first-ever Grand Tour at the 2022 Vuelta a España, before achieving a maiden Tour de France podium for Soudal Quick-Step, when he finished 3rd in the 2024 edition.

With the departure of Evenepoel to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, a major void has been left in terms of Soudal Quick-Step’s climbing department. Whilst the team has signalled their ambition to return to their cobbled roots as a priority, there’s room for the climbers in the team to make their mark as a leader in 2026 and beyond. 

One man who looks to have the potential to do so is the 24-year-old Paret-Peintre, who enjoyed a successful debut season with the team, illustrating that he is a rider for the big occasions with his Tour stage win on Mont Ventoux.

"It was a very special day for me. It was unexpected, and since then my life has changed a bit," said Paret-Peintre of his Tour stage win. "The reaction from people has been very nice, even here in Japan. I felt like a new chapter was beginning."

After developing through Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale's system and winning a Giro d'Italia stage in 2024, Paret-Peintre made a somewhat surprising switch to Soudal Quick-Step for 2025. Initially brought in as support for Evenepoel alongside Mikel Landa, he now sees a path to greater responsibility

"Yes, I think so now. I feel ready to take on more responsibility and perhaps be the leader in more races. We'll see over time, but I see it as a positive thing," he said when asked about filling the void left by the departing Evenepoel.

Paret-Peintre played down the idea of any GC leadership conflicts when it came to himself, Landa and Ilan Van Wilder. "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."

The Frenchman also had strong kind words for his Spanish teammate Landa, "Landismo is serenity, experience, patience and that touch of ambition that is always there."

Much has been made of his lightweight build, with the Frenchman weighing a reported 52kg, and Paret-Peintre was honest about the advantages and disadvantages. "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."

As for his ambitions, Paret-Peintre has a clear target in mind, joining an exclusive, historic club of 114 riders who have won a stage at all three Grand Tours, with only the Vuelta a España remaining on the Frenchman’s bucket list. "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,” said Paret-Peintre on potential GC aspirations in the future.

Paret-Peintre was also asked about his younger compatriot Paul Seixas, who many expect to be France’s next Grand Tour star. "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,” said Paret-Peintre when asked how far Seixas can go and if he can one day beat Tadej Pogačar.