The Tour de France witnessed a stunning upset today as Frenchman Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) conquered the legendary Mont Ventoux in a thrilling stage 16 victory. Paret-Peintre powered his way to the summit, leaving behind pre-race favourites and etching his name into cycling history.
A Day for the Underdog
The stage, widely considered one of the most challenging of the entire tour, saw Paret-Peintre break away in a group of 34 riders mid-stage. He then battled it out with Ireland's Ben Healy and Colombia's Santiago Buitrago, ultimately proving too strong for the competition. Healy finished second, with Buitrago claiming third.
"It wasn't the plan!" exclaimed Paret-Peintre after his victory, revealing that he hadn't initially focused on being in the breakaway. He believed that Pogacar would control the race. However, seeing an opportunity, he joined the large group and realized he had a chance to win.
Pogacar Retains Yellow Jersey
While Paret-Peintre celebrated his remarkable win, the battle for the yellow jersey continued behind him. Defending champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) managed to hold onto his lead in the general classification, despite several attacks from Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease a Bike). The two remain locked in a tight contest, promising an exciting finale to the Tour de France.
- 1st: PARET-PEINTRE Valentin (Soudal Quick-Step) in 4h03'19"
- 2nd: HEALY Ben (EF Education - EasyPost) at 0"
- 3rd: BUITRAGO Santiago (Bahrain - Victorious) at 4"
The victory marks a significant moment for French cycling and a testament to Paret-Peintre's strength and determination. This is his first major win, and it came on one of cycling's most iconic climbs. Fans are already anticipating what this young cyclist will do next.