Our rider rounded off an excellent week by winning the points classification.
Okolo Slovenska, CRO Race, Tour of Guangxi, Volta ao Algarve – Paul Magnier’s last four stage races, and in each of them, the incredible Frenchman won multiple stages and the points jersey. In total, Paul claimed 15 victories in his last 23 days of racing, an outstanding achievement that propelled him into the top ten most successful riders in the history of Soudal Quick-Step, level with Marcel Kittel.
It was a nice week with the team, we had good weather here, and we can be proud of what we achieved.
“I’m happy with my two stage victories and with the excellent job of my teammates, as it was an important race for us and our sprint train. Taking home also the points jersey is a really nice bonus, I’m delighted to win a classification in my first stage race of the season”, said Paul after the podium ceremony.
The race concluded again on the hard slopes of Alto do Malhão, which the bunch had to climb twice Sunday afternoon. Until the last 35 kilometers, Max Schachmann was one of the day’s main animators from the breakaway, but a crash on a tricky descent put an end to any ambitions and forced the German to abandon. After an initial selection the first time up, with around 40 kilometers to go, a dozen riders arrived at the bottom of the last ascent, and from that group Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) took the victory, sealing the general classification.
Dylan van Baarle was our team’s highest-ranked rider at the top of the Malhão, finishing an impressive tenth after a solid display on the climb to bring to a conclusion his first outing with the Wolfpack on a high note.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
