"My 15th win of the season!" - Only Tadej Pogacar has more victories than Paul Magnier in 2025 after Tour of Guangxi sprint success
Cycling
In a chaotic, crash-marred finale to the opening stage of the 2025 Tour of Guangxi, Paul Magnier powered to a statement sprint victory — his 15th of the season — further cementing his place among the elite winners of the year. Only one rider has stood on the top step more times in 2025: the reigning world champion, Tadej Pogacar.
“I’m delighted with my 15th win of the season — and another victory for The Wolfpack,” Magnier said at the finish. “It’s the first time I’ve sprinted on a road this big and wide, and I was nervous in the last kilometres. I didn’t know if I’d find the space, but my team-mates did a fantastic job in the final 200 metres.”
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A sprint survival test
The 149-kilometre stage around Fangchenggang was billed as a sprinter’s paradise, with a flat three-lap finishing circuit and no major obstacles on the route. But a heavy crash in the final kilometre turned the finale into a test of both speed and survival.
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe had seized control in support of Jordi Meeus, while Magnier’s Soudal - Quick-Step team executed a textbook lead-out to position their man near the front. As sprint trains unravelled in the chaos, the 21-year-old Frenchman stayed upright and seized his moment. “I still felt strong and fresh, so I was able to take it all the way to the line,” Magnier said. “Honestly, the guys delivered me perfectly. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Only Tadej Pogacar has more wins than Paul Magnier in 2025
Only Pogacar stands above him
Magnier's victory in China continues an incredible late-season run of form. Since mid-September, he’s racked up wins in France (GP de Fourmies), Slovakia (4), Croatia (4), and now Guangxi, doubling his career tally from 10 to 20 in just one month. His 15 victories this season now match Isaac Del Toro, with only Tadej Pogacar having won more in 2025.
And the best may still be to come. With several sprint stages still to come in the six-day Tour of Guangxi, Magnier has the opportunity to extend his streak and potentially challenge Pogacar’s win total.
As the peloton resets for Stage 2, all eyes will be on the Frenchman in the leader’s jersey. And with form, confidence, and momentum firmly on his side, few would bet against Paul Magnier sprinting to win number 16 before the week is out.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
- If Tiberi has a better and more consistent 2027 I somehow doubt it will be because of this victorious warning. Unless his preparation has been off, cycling isn't football.flyer07-11-2026
- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
- Fair enough. Everyone’s entitled to one and I respect yours! Nothing wrong with being a one week and GT guy if that’s his vibemij07-11-2026
- LOL...it's a predetermined finish ! N one is 'clashing' at these exhibition crits!frieders307-11-2026
- Surely the UCI and the race organisers have a responsibility to ensure the best medical care is available to riders when incidents like this happen. All very well pushing for global expansion but not so good if riders lives are put at risk because medical support is not up to scratch.Andy12306-11-2026
- Well it clearly helps that this was Pidcock's own car, no?Occam06-11-2026
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Paul Magnier prevails in a chaotic sprint to win the Tour of Guangxi's opening stage 🙌
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