Paul Magnier and Soudal Quick-Step started the Giro d’Italia with a bang, taking the win on the first day of the race after formidable teamwork and a world-class sprint from the 22-year-old, one of the youngest riders of this 109th edition.
The victory, which came on the day that marked 21 years since the Wolfpack’s maiden success at the Corsa Rosa – brought by Paolo Bettini in Tropea – was the biggest in the career of Paul Magnier, who thanks to it donned three of the competition’s four jerseys: pink, cyclamen, and white.
Soudal Quick-Step was a machine whose cogs were well-oiled Friday afternoon, from the relentless work that Ayco Bastiaens put in at the front of the peloton to bring the escapees back to the flawless lead-out provided by Jasper Stuyven and Dries Van Gestel.
It was thanks to their experience and instinct that Magnier was brought near the front of the bunch with more than six kilometers to go, a decision which proved to be crucial, as Paul’s presence there helped him avoid a nasty crash that decimated the field with 600 meters to go, leaving only a dozen riders in contention.
The last part of the closing kilometer was an uphill one, so timing was everything there, and Paul Magnier launched his effort with just 175 meters to go, giving absolutely no chance to his opponents and powering to a crushing victory – Soudal Quick-Step’s 34th at the Giro d’Italia.
“I am so proud of the team and of what we achieved today! I came into this race with the ambition of taking a victory and the pink jersey, something in which I believed since my altitude training camp, and I’m delighted I could do it on the very first stage. The entire squad was formidable today! Ayco chased the breakaway, then we all hit the front in the final kilometers, and Jasper Stuyven and Dries Van Gestel did an amazing job as we raced under the flamme rouge.
“I have no words to tell you how happy I am that I could finish it off. There are some really big sprinters here, and to win against them is unbelievable! It’s a beautiful feeling to wear the first maglia rosa, which is such a legendary and prestigious jersey!”, an elated Paul Magnier said after the 27th pro victory of his career.
(Source: press office, photo: Tim De Waele / Getty)
