Matteo Trentin: “I hope it's going to be the good one!”
October 8 th 2026 - 16:03
Is it possible to win Paris-Tours four times? Gustave Danneels (1934, 1936, 1937), Guido Reybrouck (1964, 1966, 1968) and Erik Zabel (1994, 2003, 2005) all failed to do so, while Paul Maye (1941, 1942, 1945) never had the opportunity. Matteo Trentin (2015, 2017, 2025) will take up the challenge of setting the record this Sunday, a year after his last victory on Boulevard Béranger. Having already won both as a sprinter and from a breakaway, the Italian rider for Tudor is prepared for every scenario in what he describes as “a very complete race in terms of technicality.”
How are you approaching this 2026 edition, one year after your victory in Tours?
“Yes, it was my last victory, which is unlikely for me because that means I haven't won again since then. But finally, it looks like all the series of injuries I got after breaking my collarbone [at the beginning of April in the Tour of Flanders] are behind me, so let's hope this one is going to be the good one!”
You have already raced it seven times. Does it feel different to line up as the defending champion?
“No, but it’s always nice to be lining up as the defending champion. You have the number one on your back, which is always very good!”
A fourth victory would make you the sole record holder. How important is this to you?
“I don’t really think about it, but the first goal is to win the race. Winning the race is already making this thing happen. The main goal is winning the race first, and it’s an extra, a very good plus, if I can [take the record].”
The Paris-Tours route has changed in recent years, as has your own career as you have become a classics rider. Can we compare the two?
“I mean, cycling has also changed along with the changes to the race, and a bit with the evolution of how I am as a rider now. I think it's sometimes nice to change. I always say I prefer the older version because it was more, you know, the ‘classic’ one. But at the end of the day, I won both versions, so I cannot say it doesn't fit my characteristics!”
Tudor's second half of the season has been boosted by two victories at La Vuelta. Is Paris-Tours the ideal race to continue in style?
“Yes, you know, the morale is high, the results finally came to us towards the end of the season, so why stop them coming?”
You won on your very first appearance at Paris-Tours. What is better for performing: the freshness and impetuosity of the first time, or the experience you gain year after year?
“I mean, the first time I won, I didn't have the opportunity to use any experience from the race. So now I will use it. For sure, it's a hard race to win, especially if it's not windy at the beginning; then you really need to be good in all the gravel sections while saving some legs for the final. So it's a very complete race to ride in terms of technicality.”
