Our rider produced a remarkable turn of legs in the closing 200 meters of the day.
Paul Magnier finished a close second on the opening stage of the race after a hugely impressive sprint that saw the young Frenchman come from a long way back to conclude just behind Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) in Legnica. It was the tenth podium of the season for the 21-year-old from Grenoble, who was slowed down twice in the finale, the first time by a crash that took place ahead of the last kilometer, and later just as he was preparing to sprint, with 200 meters to go.
Wrocław, the capital of Lower Silesia and a city that has a special connection to Polish cycling, hosted the start of the 82nd Tour de Pologne on Monday, when the peloton embarked on a fairly flat one that took them to Legnica. Ayco Bastiaens, who recently signed a new contract with T-Rex Quick-Step, again did a huge amount of work at the front of the bunch, bringing back the escapees with around 40 kilometers to go.
In the sprint, a fragmented one, Magnier was again remarkable as he took runner-up, a result that will see him sport the points jersey on the second stage, one that should bring the first differences between the general classification contenders.
“I am pretty content with my result. It was a very hectic finale and I had to find the space to sprint. I am happy I could do that and show my speed, as it gives me confidence for the next sprinters’ stages here in Poland”, Paul said at the finish.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
