A few hours after his resounding victory at the top of Mont Ventoux during the 16th stage of the Tour de France, Valentin Paretrere opened the doors of his hotel for an interview with Cyclism’Actu. “VPP“is therefore the first Frenchman to have raised his arms on this Large loopand the first tricolor to win at the top of “Mont Chauve” since Richard Virenque In 2002. Still marked by the emotion of having triumphed over one of the most mythical summits of world cycling, the training runner Soudal Quick-Step returns with lucidity and sincerity on this historic day.
“Winning a stage of the Tour is something, but winning at Mont Ventoux …”
Thank you for receiving us at your hotel. What do we say there?
Not much … It's still difficult to achieve. I called my parents, my girlfriend of course, but I haven't looked at my phone too much. I think I don't really realize that I won a stage of the Tour, and at Mont Ventoux in addition …
Isn't that nothing?
No, that's for sure. Already, winning a stage of the Tour is something. But winning at Mont Ventoux is even more magical. I think I'm going to take a little time. Maybe tomorrow, I will realize a little more, or after the round … When everything will fall, it will be really special.
With this success, you join a prestigious line of French winners in the Ventoux: Poulidor, Hinault, Jean-François Bernard, Virenque … Do you have the impression of being part of the story?
Yes, I was told that I am only the fifth French to win up there. And even beyond, when we look at the winners of the winners at the top of the Ventoux, they are almost only big names. It's very special, and I think it will remain for a long time as the most beautiful victory of my career.
“Mont Ventoux is mythical”
When we see that we are still talking about Jean-François Virenque 23 years later, we realize the scope of such a feat, right?
Yes, it's clear. Again, I find it hard to achieve, but Mount Ventoux is mythical.
This is a step that you were not even supposed to compete at the base. Was there a form of destiny, somewhere?
Yes, we can say that. There were two “hazards” of fate, we will say: first, I should not be at the start of the Tour, I was supposed to do the Giro. And then, with the abandonment of Remco, it left me more freedom. I think that if he had still been there, I could not have taken the escape today. So yes, maybe it was written somewhere that I had to win here in Mont Ventoux.
Do we enter the big leagues when we win in the Ventoux?
No, I don't think. We must confirm. There are still many other races to be won. It is a step, certainly mythical, but it is not an end. I still have a lot to do.
The last time we saw each other was the recognition of the 2027 Worlds in Sallanches. You told us about a galley start to the season since Tirreno… if you had been told at that time that you were going to win in Ventoux?
I would have said that just being at the start, it would already be crazy. So win a step, incredible … But win at Mont Ventoux? I would have told you: “But you're crazy!”
“My grandparents cried in front of the TV”
Even in your wildest dreams, wouldn't you imagine that?
No. Already, winning a step is hard to imagine. But winning in the Ventoux is still above. When we approached the foot, fifteen kilometers, I said in the radio to Pascal Lecomte, who was riding in front: “Go, it's our day, we can do it.” But even there, deep down, I don't know if I really thought about it. It was difficult to say on the bicycle: “I'm in a position to win at Mont Ventoux.”
We don't realize it, but how is it to climb the Ventoux?
It's hard! It is above all suffering. But with all the spectators on the side of the road, it goes faster. We take a lot of fun despite everything. Today, I think we took about an hour to go up, so it's okay, it went quickly. I did it in May, just after my injury, and there it was much slower …
You were talking about your loved ones. How did they react?
They are super happy. They really vibrated. I called my grandparents, and they said to me: “We cried in front of the TV.” And that, for me, is even more important than the victory itself. The fact of transmitting these emotions to my loved ones, my grandparents … This is what makes me the most proud.
“The polka dot jers
You are the first French winner on this tower. Does that represent something?
Not necessarily. There may be others. The peloton is more and more international, so it is more and more difficult for the French to be a great nation, in quotes. And besides, this morning at the start, I did not even realize that we had not yet won a stage.
Can we wish you a polka dot jersey for the future?
No, it is not at all in my goals. I don't even know how many points, nor how many there were at the top today. I think Lenny (Martinez) is off to a good start, he is quite ahead. And if we wage war for the jersey, he may finish on the shoulders of Pogacar … So no, I prefer that it is Lenny rather than Pogacar.
Why not reoffend in the Alps?
Yes, for sure, I will be keen to be at the front in the Alps. Today, Ilan has rendered a beautiful service to me, so I would be keen to give him the same over there. Already tomorrow, the stage is conducive to us, so we will try to do something.
