Heistse Pijl

Magnier back with a bang

Paul Magnier won Heistse Pijl, his first appearance since the Giro d’Italia, and in the process became the first Frenchman to put his name on the roll of honour of the race created in 1947.

Held over a 189.5km course between Vosselaar and Heist-op-den-Berg, the 55th edition of Heistse Pijl, consisted of a pan-flat first part followed by a second one comprising five laps of a circuit that featured a short climb which only spiced up things. On the penultimate lap, after the original breakaway had been caught, Magnier was involved in a crash but with the help of his Soudal Quick-Step teammates, he made it back in the bunch just in time for the last hill.

Guided by an amazing Bert Van Lerberghe, who did a tremendous job in the final kilometers, Paul crested the climb in the top five positions and remained the whole time well placed at the front of the reduced group, thus avoiding another crash that took place just a few kilometers from home. On the last straight, after a flawless lead-out of Van Lerberghe, the Frenchman unleashed his sprint and gave absolutely no chance to the other riders, taking a clear victory – his seventh in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey.

“It’s a beautiful win that gives me great pleasure, because it came after a fantastic team effort. The entire squad did a great job, and Bert was incredible in the final kilometers, making sure the whole time that I was where I needed to be, from the last climb to the closing kilometer of the race. In the sprint, I just did my best, and I’m happy that I could bring the victory home. It’s a perfect way to start the month and I hope more wins will follow soon for our team”, an elated Paul said after the podium ceremony.

Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images