Valentin Paret-Peintre will join Soudal Quick-Step at the beginning of next season after agreeing on a two-year contract with the Belgian team.
Most recently, the French rider impressed at this year’s Giro d’Italia, taking a remarkable solo victory from a large breakaway group on the summit finish of Bocca della Selva, in the southern Apennines. It was his maiden pro win, and it came after some solid outings in the first months of the season, such as an eighth place at the Tour Down Under and fourth overall in the Tour of the Alps.
“I’m very happy to join the team for the next two years”, says Valentin Paret-Peintre. “I’ve always admired this team and watched it write history in some of the biggest races in the world. I remember Tom Boonen winning Paris-Roubaix numerous times in this jersey or Philippe Gilbert taking those memorable victories in Roubaix and De Ronde. It’s a legendary team with a lot of history and tradition and I’m proud that I will be part of it in the next two seasons.”
“My goal is to continue to develop and gain experience in stage races, especially from someone like Mikel Landa. I’m also ready to help whenever I will be needed on the climbs. I would like to be one of the strongest guys in the mountains for my team in a race like the Tour de France, which I would like to discover, but I’m also aiming for a top ten in week-long stage races”.
“We’ve been following Valentin for some time and we were impressed by his work ethic, continuous improvement and results, such as his spectacular Giro d’Italia stage victory”, added Patrick Lefevere. “We are happy he has decided to join us. Valentin is a strong addition to our climbers’ contingent and we are confident he will fit right in and grow in our team.”
