Valentin Paret-Peintre
«An important moment in my career»
«I am really proud to have achieved such a performance. Finishing fifth in a mountain stage of the Giro d'Italia is an important moment in my career. My family and friends were there at the finish in Crans-Montana, which made the moment even happier. I was frustrated after finishing 13th yesterday after my breakaway, I wanted to do better. I managed to do so with courage on this short and intense stage after the route was changed due to weather conditions. I wanted to put on a show! With two climbs in just 75 kilometres, it was a gruelling effort. I managed to hang on even when I was dropped from the breakaway group. I managed to catch up again on the descent from La Croix de Coeur, but on the final climb, I quickly found myself alone. I fought with everything I had to resist the return of the group of favourites. It's crazy to experience all these emotions in the first Grand Tour of my career. It already makes me want to try again!»
”I wanted to put on a show!
The information
Aurélien Paret-Peintre, 12th in the overall standings
Nineteenth at the finish of the 13th stage in Crans-Montana, Aurélien Paret-Peintre is now in 12th place overall after the 13th stage, 3’20’’ behind the pink jersey Geraint Thomas.
418
The figure
Valentin Paret-Peintre broke away for the third time since the start of the Giro d'Italia during this 13th stage. The 21-year-old climber, who is competing in the first Grand Tour of his career, was also among the breakaway riders during the eighth stage between Terni and Fossombrone and during the twelfth stage on Thursday between Bra and Rivoli. He has now clocked up 418 kilometres in breakaways since the start of this 106th edition.
«I'm proud of what Valentin has achieved,» says Didier Jannel, sporting director of the AG2R CITROËN team. "He boldly broke away at the front during this 13th stage after already showing his talent the day before. It was a stage that suited him well, with a finish that played to his strengths as a climber. He wanted to show that he was capable of doing much better after his disappointment on Thursday. It's a really great performance for the first Grand Tour of his career."
