Kévin Vauquelin changed dimensions twice last season. First, by securing 7th place in the general classification of the Tour de France 2025. Then, by joining the Ineos Grenadiers team. The 24-year-old Frenchman left Arkéa B&B-Hotels to join a more ambitious, more efficient and more referenced structure.
If certain excellent riders had to place themselves in the service of another leader upon arriving at the former Sky, Vauquelin, for his part, retains high personal ambitions. Particularly on the Tour de France. “I feel on the right track by aiming for the general,” explained the Norman to L’Équipe. Every rider’s dream is to win the Tour de France, so I have to continue. This summer I experienced something extraordinary thanks to the public so much that I want to go back. And now the dream is the yellow jersey. I just missed it, it really pissed me off and now I want to take my revenge. »
“Everything went faster”
The darling of the French public last summer aims to wear the yellow tunic. His legitimacy within his own team has been reinforced thanks to his performances last season, while his profile could also allow him to chase classics or stage victories.
“I was seen to be good at these levels (of playing the general stage race) in a few years. For example, what I did at the Tour, they imagined it would happen in one or two years. So everything went faster and that’s good because it raised their hopes, they said to themselves that I had already taken a step forward,” Vauquelin explained. The latter is currently participating in an internship at his new team. He is preparing his return to competition after his injury which occurred at the end of the Tour. Having had one leg operated on, he says the work is “starting to pay off”.
