Our rider continued to be a protagonist at his home race as the peloton moved one day closer to Paris.
Friday was the day that Alpe d’Huez finally returned at the Tour de France after four years. The race’s most iconic climb and one of cycling’s greatest stadiums, Alpe d’Huez (13.7km, 8.1%)and its 21 hairpins welcomed the peloton at the end of the 127.9km stage 19, which started from Gap.
For Soudal Quick-Step’s Valentin Paret-Peintre, it was another day in which he continued his Tour de France polka dot battle. Firmly focused on mathematically taking the KOM jersey he had been wearing on loan since the end of last week, Paret-Peintre jumped from the peloton as soon as the attacks began, joining what soon turned into one of the largest breakaway groups of this edition. From there, the Frenchman once again gave his best and won the first two climbs of the day, Col Bayard and Col du Nover, making sure he would remain in contention for the prestigious polka dot jersey regardless of the stage’s outcome.
Going into the penultimate stage of the race, which brings three Hors catégorie climbs on the course - Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier and Col de Sarenne - Valentin is just seven points behind the new leader of the mountain standings, which should make for a fascinating battle for the jersey that no French rider has won in the last seven years.
It was a fast start to the stage, but as I felt good after yesterday’s effort, I went with the breakaway ready to fight for the points.
- Valentin Paret-Peintre -
“I’m glad I could be up there again and stay in the fight for the polka dot. Saturday will be another opportunity, with many points on the table, and I hope to be again there and take as many as possible, as I would really love to bring this jersey home, but I know it won’t be easy with so many hard climbs on the route”, said Valentin, who so far has won fourteen classified ascents at this Tour de France.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
