GP de Fourmies / La Voix du Nord

Magnier takes a crushing sprint victory in Fourmies

Paul Magnier made it eleven pro victories in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey after becoming the first Frenchman in eight years to take the spoils at the Grand Prix de Fourmies, one of the oldest one-day races held in northern France.

The 21-year-old from Grenoble benefitted from an excellent work of his teammates, who controlled the five-man breakaway and brought the attackers back in the closing kilometers of the 193km race, at the same time, making sure he was the entire time at the front and well positioned, which helped Paul avoid a late crash that took a couple of riders out of contention.

One of the best lead-out men in the peloton, Bert Van Lerberghe made his presence felt on the finishing stretch, where he guided his much younger teammate, and Magnier didn’t miss, hitting a blistering speed on the way to his sixth victory of the season. The Frenchman – who has an impressive palmares in one-day races this season – let out a massive roar as he crossed the line, a couple of bike lengths ahead of those who completed the podium Sunday afternoon.

“I am delighted I could win again this year in front of my countrymen. I came here with a lot of motivation and confidence, knowing I could rely on a strong team and a great lead-out. The guys were fantastic the whole day and did their best to bring me where I needed to be when things began heating up, and I am happy I could finish it off and give The Wolfpack another success to celebrate”, said Paul, the fourth different Soudal Quick-Step rider to have won the Grand Prix de Fourmies in the last two decades.

Photo credit: ©Rhode Van Elsen / Getty Images