A Valentin Paret-Peintre teammate responded to criticism after the French victory on Tuesday during 16e Step from the Tour de France at the top of Mont Ventoux.
He had a message to convey. Ilan Van Wilder responded to the criticisms around his team after the victory of his teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre on Tuesday during the 16the Step from the Tour de France at the top of Mont Ventoux. A 4e success on this 112e edition, after Tim Merlier (3e et 9e step) and Remco Evenepoel (5e Step), to the taste of revenge for the Belgian runner and his Sudal-Quick Step training, who were notably confronted with the abandonment of their leader Remco Evenepoel.
Ilan van Wilder – MVP 🙌#TDF2025pic.twitter.com/ZHR2urMRET
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) July 22, 2025
“I’m so happy. We worked so hard. We really had shit days. Today, we got there and we showed that we were able because we also had criticisms of the team that we were not strong enough, “told Eurosport’s microphone, Ilan Van Wilder, who finished in 4th place. He then was a little more virulent. “Now I say ‘go get fucked up because we win today on the Ventoux. That’s all I have to say. I’m happy for Valentin and the team, ”he said.
He also returned to the Belgian team’s strategy and his role in the ascent of the “Géant de Provence”, he who played a primordial role in the victory of Valentin Paret-Peintre. “I had rolled a little at the foot of the Ventoux, Valentin told me that he felt good, that he did not feel his legs. I was not great but it was easy to make the choice to roll for him because I am not selfish. Then I found my rhythm and my legs. When I saw them further I accelerated and I come back to the last kilometer. It was a difficult situation for Valentin because he played the win and the yellow jersey returned so I did not drop for him, “he decrypted.
This first French success on this great 2025 loop is also a team victory. And there are still five stages in Sudal-Quick-Step to try to hang at least one other at his hunting board.
