"If Mario Cipollini had been a rider today, he would have never achieved his 42 Giro victories" - Patrick Lefevere

One of the biggest changes in modern cycling is the changing of the routes during stage-races and mainly Grand Tours, with a lot more difficult stages for the climbers and classics specialists, and much less for the pure sprinters. Patrick Lefevere argues how that's hampered Soudal - Quick-Step's chances of winning at the ongoing Giro d'Italia.

"Last year, we won four stages in the Giro; now we're at zero. Let's face it: I don't see how things will be any different in Rome," Lefevere says in a brutally honest column for Het Nieuwsblad. "It's a bummer, but our Giro was pretty much over when Mikel Landa crashed in the opening stage," the former manager of the Belgian team adds.

"Of course, we have sprinter Paul Magnier, but he realizes that the Giro is not the Etoile de Bessèges. That is, don't get me wrong, absolutely no criticism. He is 21 years old and riding his first Grand Tour. You have a learning curve. Paul has also had his share of bad luck in this Giro. He crashed heavily in the stage to Napoli. To then still manage to finish third: well done."

Magnier has been rather under the radar but has been performing at this Giro, with another opportunity this Saturday with the arrival at Nova Gorica, with a few punchy climbs in the final kilometers that may benefit the Frenchman. However, there is world-class competition to go through in order to achieve success.

"Last year, he crashed badly in the Tour of Britain, where we slightly underestimated the impact and had to leave him in the hospital, partly out of necessity. That crash took its toll, but he has now put that episode behind him, judging by Napoli," Lefevere believes.

"On Thursday (stage 12, ed.), Paul was really disappointed. He was where he needed to be in the sprint, but then he hit a pothole, and his chain came off. He got it back on quickly and still finished eighth, so we really have to take our hats off to him again. But at the same time, it's obviously a missed opportunity."

Without Mikel Landa, the team has had more freedom to chase their individual results, but Mattia Cattaneo hasn't had luck with breakaways, Josef Cerny was injured from the crash on stage 8, whilst both Cattaneo and Ethan Hayter found stronger competition in the time-trial.

And when it comes to the sprints, there haven't been many opportunities to be in contention. "In this Giro, the opportunities for sprinters like Paul are scarce. If Mario Cipollini had been a rider today, he would have never achieved his 42 Giro victories," Lefevere argues. "With a bit of luck, we had three flat stages. Otherwise, there is always some elevation, and then Mads Pedersen, who is in the form of his life, is unbeatable".

"There is one more sprint opportunity in the final week, and on the final day in Rome, the fast men will also have their chance, but Paul won't be there to see it," he reveals. "In theory, he will leave the race on Monday, the rest day. At this point in his career, two weeks are more than enough."