Soudal-Quickstep introduced the signing of 23-year-old Valentin Paret-Peintre, who gained a stage of the Giro d’Italia with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale this yr, on a two-year contract.
Paret-Peintre impressed along with his solo victory on stage 10 of the Giro when he rode away from extra seasoned climbers like Romain Bardet and Jan Tratnik on the 18-kilometre-long Bocca della Selva ending climb. There have been rumours on the finish of the Giro that Quickstep have been keen on signing him.
He additionally confirmed promise as a common classification rider with fourth within the Tour of the Alps and a high 10 within the Tour Down Under this season.
“I’m very joyful to hitch the staff for the subsequent two years,” Paret-Peintre mentioned. “I’ve all the time admired this staff and watched it write historical past in a number of the largest races on the earth. I bear in mind Tom Boonen profitable Paris-Roubaix quite a few occasions on this jersey or Philippe Gilbert taking these memorable victories in Roubaix and De Ronde. It’s a legendary staff with lots of historical past and custom and I’m proud that I shall be a part of it within the subsequent two seasons.”
The 23-year-old is on monitor to hitch the staff backing Remco Evenepoel within the Grand Tours after the staff loses Jan Hirt to Israel-Premier Tech subsequent season.
“My objective is to proceed to develop and acquire expertise in stage races, particularly from somebody like Mikel Landa. I’m additionally prepared to assist each time I shall be wanted on the climbs. I want to be one of many strongest guys within the mountains for my staff in a race just like the Tour de France, which I want to uncover, however I’m additionally aiming for a high ten in week-long stage races.”
Paret-Peintre joins newcomers Ethan Hayter, who joins from Ineos, Max Schachmann who’s transferring from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Dries Van Gestel from TotalEnergies and Pascal Eenkhoorn from Lotto Dstny.
Team supervisor Patrick Lefevere was happy to signal the Frenchman. “We’ve been following Valentin for a while and we have been impressed by his work ethic, steady enchancment and outcomes, resembling his spectacular Giro d’Italia stage victory. We are joyful he has determined to hitch us. Valentin is a powerful addition to our climbers’ contingent and we’re assured he’ll match proper in and develop in our staff.”
