First European success of the year for Soudal Quick-Step.
Paul Magnier enjoyed a perfect start to the season, winning on his very first race day of the year, just like he did in 2024. If back then he came out on top in Mallorca, at the Trofeo Ses Salines-Felanitx, this time around the 20-year-old from Grenoble took the honours in front of his countrymen, after prevailing at the end Étoile de Bessèges stage 1, in Bellegarde.
The day was almost completely flat, the only difficulty coming in the final kilometer, where the riders had to tackle a 600m ramp averaging a stinging 9%. It was there that Paul patiently waited for the right moment to make his move, unleashing a ferocious sprint 150 meters from the line to rack up his sixth pro victory on the way to becoming the third-youngest rider in the history of the race to take a stage.
“It’s important for me that I won my first race of the year, just like last season. It gives a lot of confidence and shows how hard I have worked during the winter. I want to thank everyone who supported me after my crash last September – team, family, friends, manager – because it’s thanks to them that I got to win here in France in front of my fans”, said Paul, who upon crossing the line, pointed towards the sky. “This victory is for my grandmother, who has always supported me and now continues to do it while watching me from heaven.”
“The finale was very steep, but I began the climb in a good position thanks to the team’s excellent work. They did a perfect job today and I am grateful for that. The key was to be patient and I was until I decided to give everything when it mattered the most. I’m proud of my performance and of this success. I will do my best to keep the leader’s jersey on Thursday and maybe try to get another victory this week”, added Paul, who will sport the coral jersey during Thursday’s hilly stage two, where a second-category climb placed inside the final 15 kilometers could make things spicier.
Photo credit: ©Billy Ceusters / Getty Images
