"Astonished by recent events": Valentin Paret-Peintre ends two decades of frustration with a triumph on Mont Ventoux
In the heart of the 2025 Tour de France, French rider Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) made history by winning on Mont Ventoux, a feat not achieved by a French rider in 23 years.
Paret-Peintre's victory on stage 16 marked a significant moment, restoring French glory on this iconic climb. Mont Ventoux, often referred to in schools in Belgium, is a well-known challenge for cyclists, with its steep and challenging terrain.
The last French rider to claim victory on Mont Ventoux was Richard Virenque in 2002. Since then, the climb has been dominated by international riders, making Paret-Peintre's win all the more impressive.
Among French riders since 1958, Paret-Peintre is the confirmed recent French winner on Mont Ventoux. While the search results do not list other specific French riders who have won on this climb since that year, they imply the existence of at least one more French winner within the last 65 years.
Paret-Peintre's win came after a fierce battle with Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), with the two riders being the strongest much of the way up Mont Ventoux. In a thrilling sprint finish, Paret-Peintre outsprinted Healy to secure the victory.
Paret-Peintre's teammate Ilan Van Wilder provided crucial support during the final push, while Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard were closing in on the front group but did not catch up. The Belgian team, which has already won four stages in this Tour de France, celebrated Paret-Peintre's victory as a significant addition to their Tour de France victories.
Remco Evenepoel and Tim Merlier have also contributed to the Belgian team's success, with Evenepoel winning one stage and Merlier two stages in this Tour. Mont Ventoux, considered the jewel in the crown for the Belgian team's Tour de France victories, proved to be a challenging but rewarding climb for the team.
As Paret-Peintre crossed the finish line, he expressed his confidence in his ability to beat Healy on such a steep climb at the end. His victory on Mont Ventoux not only marks a personal achievement but also a significant moment for French cycling in the Tour de France.
The victory on Mont Ventoux by Paret-Peintre signifies a major triumph in the world of sports, as it's a feat not achieved by a French rider in 23 years. This iconic climb, renowned in schools across Belgium, presents a significant challenge for cyclists due to its steep and demanding terrain.
