Matthew Riccitello: “It was a true team effort”
“It was definitely a stressful day with the wind and a big breakaway up the road. The team was super strong all day, controlling the gap and protecting me from the wind, we were perfect. Starting the season like this with DECATHLON CMA CGM is a really good feeling. I’m super happy with how the last three days went and excited for the rest of the season. I was already thrilled to be part of this team, and I’m even more so now. It was a true team effort, I wouldn’t have achieved such a great result without them.”
Luke Rowe: “It’s always nice to win a race early in the season”
“I think we have to be happy. What pleases me most is the way the guys rode and performed, even more than the result itself. Today, they controlled the race without stress, I never felt we were in a situation where we were going to lose. Yesterday, the team positioned Matthew Riccitello really well before the climb, and then they played it tactically with Aurélien Paret-Peintre. It’s always nice to win a race early in the season.”
Key figure: 5
As the number of professional victories for Matthew Riccitello. After winning the general classification of the Istrian Spring Trophy in 2022, as well as a stage and the overall title at the 2025 Sibiu Cycling Tour, Matthew Riccitello has opened his 2026 account in style. He claimed the queen stage of the Tour de La Provence, the general classification, and the King of the Mountains jersey.
News: Aurélien Paret-Peintre just off the podium
Finishing fourth in the Tour de La Provence and the top Frenchman, Aurélien Paret-Peintre delivered a successful race, staying right up there with the leaders during the queen stage.
