"It was incredible to ride with Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe" - Paul Magnier hungry for more in 2025

Paul Magnier has completed his first season as a professional cyclist, riding for Soudal - Quick-Step. The 20-year-old French rider, who was born in Texas, made an impressive debut, including a victory on the opening stage of the 2024 Tour of Britain.

Speaking on The Wolfpack Howls podcast, Magnier shared his experiences from his rookie season, "I learned a lot, especially how to live as a pro. I started cycling as a hobby. But now I really had to live as a pro."

Adjusting to the professional lifestyle brought unique challenges for Magnier, "Then it's mainly about things like answering emails or being on time for a flight. Those weren't my strongest points. But that's okay now. I'm on time for the plane now and I'm trying to sort my emails and answer them."

Magnier credited teammate Julian Alaphilippe for helping him navigate the transition, "I was very nervous at the first training camp. There are more than a hundred people working here, so it was difficult to remember everyone. Alaphilippe helped me tremendously by taking me along and introducing me to everyone. I am very grateful to him for that."

One of Magnier’s standout moments from the season was his victory in the Tour of Britain, "The victories in the Tour of Britain provide great memories, especially because it was really incredible to ride with Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe. The fact that Alaphilippe was my lead-out man made it extra special."

Looking ahead to 2025, Magnier is setting his sights on new challenges, including competing in Belgian classics, "These are very tough races, especially because of the battle for position on the climbs and the sometimes harsh weather - rain, wind and cold temperatures. At the same time, these classics are incredibly beautiful."

With a strong debut season under his belt and clear ambitions for the future, Magnier is poised for continued growth as part of the prestigious Soudal - Quick-Step team.