Kévin Vauquelin : « Paris-Nice 2023 was a real turning point... it was the breakthrough of a young rider »
March 4 th 2026 - 15:45
At just 24 years old, Kévin Vauquelin already has an impressive list of achievements on his cycling resume, from his stage victory in the Tour de France in Bologna (2024) to his 2nd place in the final classification of the Tour de Suisse (2025), as well as two podium finishes in the Flèche Wallonne (2024-25), among others. During his years with Arkéa, the Normandy-born rider also made a big impression at Paris-Nice, during his only participation in 2023, particularly on the La Loge des Gardes stage, where he finished 5th among the world's best riders. The Frenchman is making his return to the Race to the Sun this year with a new jersey, that of the Ineos-Grenadiers team, which he joined last fall. His 2026 season began with an encouraging 5th place finish in the Tour of Algarve, which perhaps heralds even higher performances in the coming months. And why not as early as next week?
How did you decide to include Paris-Nice in your program? Was it because you wanted to challenge yourself with the often difficult conditions at the start of the week?
I wanted to do Paris-Nice because it's a race that takes place where I now live! Above all, I think it's the biggest week-long race in the world, so it's very important to be there. I also find that the team time trial has now become an advantage for me, whereas it was almost a disadvantage at Arkéa. When you have someone like Joshua Tarling and all the experience of Ineos-Grenadiers in time trials, it makes you want to go for it again. And as for the weather conditions in March, we know they can be tough everywhere, but that doesn't bother me that much.
During your first experience in the Race to the Sun in 2023, you were particularly impressive on the La Loge des Gardes stage (5th), finishing just ahead of Vingegaard and Bardet. What memories do you have of that?
Three years ago, I definitely put in a great performance, which gave me confidence in my abilities. It was almost unexpected to feel so good and to discover this level, this way of fighting. That week was a real turning point, both in my head and in my career. Looking back, I can say that I'm proud of it, it was a young man's explosion!
“Aiming for the overall rankings is something that motivates me. I really want it, and this is the year I want to make it happen.”
In this season of change, do you feel like you are embarking on a year of transition, or a year of experiences?
This year of change includes a new way of working, in a team where the level is more consistent and higher, which will push me to my limits. I have to combine that with a program that is quite similar to what I have experienced before, which will allow me to approach the year with some reference points. I also want to prove myself after what happened in the Tour de France and other competitions. And I think this year's experience will be one of a new mindset. Because the last Tour, and then my injury, really made me evolve. And that's a good thing.
Looking back on your previous podium finishes, do you think the time has come to go for a prestigious victory in a week-long race?
After these three seasons, my desire is to win at World Tour level in week-long races. Aiming for the overall rankings is something that motivates me. I really want it, and this is the year I want to make it happen... but that's always easy to say. With this long break due to my injury, I mustn't be too demanding, but experience can start to weigh on you. And besides, being surrounded by people like Geraint Thomas will certainly help me achieve that victory.
The Ineos Grenadiers roster for Paris-Nice is very strong and clearly ambitious. Should we understand that this is a team with two or three leaders, with Onley, Rodriguez, and you?
We have the advantage of having very good riders, which gives us the opportunity to line up with three strong contenders for the overall classification in Paris-Nice. It's a bit like what we did in the Tour of Algarve, where we were co-leaders with Oscar (4th). Mentally, it pushes us to aim higher and it also gives us more opportunities at strategic moments. We saw that in Portugal, with a move that could have worked, so it's important to be able to try these things. So it's a role that's not quite leader, but not quite teammate either. It will be rewarding for me and for the team.
"I can be ambitious, especially since the team time trial, with a team like ours, will be an advantage."
As an adopted resident of Nice, you must have recognized the climb to the Auron station and all the ascents of the eighth stage?
Yes, I did recognize the last stages of Paris-Nice. I haven't been to Auron recently because there was snow. But in reality, I know this famous Tinée valley and this climb by heart. I did it several times last year during a training camp with Ewen Costiou. And I think it's really good terrain. The last stage is almost more difficult, at least the first part, and it will be very special. We're going to feel really bad in this valley, where you feel like you're pushing yourself really hard, and the weather could also change things.
The Paris-Nice field will be strong, and not just because of Vingegaard's last-minute commitment. Is winning the race the number one goal?
We're going to have a very strong start list. It's similar to the one we had at the Tour of Algarve, but with Jonas Vingegaard and a slightly higher level of consistency. Several riders will also be making their comeback. As for my goal, I need to see how I cope with the workload, because I haven't raced for a long time. I know I've trained well, so I'll see where I stand, but a top 5 finish would be a great way to prove myself. I can be ambitious, especially since the team time trial, with a team like ours, will be an advantage. After that, we'll have to seize the opportunities.
