Paul Magnier "couldn't lose" after a world-class leadout from world champions Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe: "That really gives you wings"

Still very young Paul Magnier powered to his third professional victory in the opening stage of the Tour of Britain. Soudal - Quick-Step invested everything into that triumph, including their stars Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe who set up the sprint.

"It feels really great," begins the 20-year-old Frenchman in a flash interview afterwards. "It was a really great team effort today. Remco and Julian tried on the climb, but it was too difficult. At the end they worked for me in the sprint, which worked well. I was in a perfect position. I'm very happy to have secured the victory for the team."

"At the end it was very important to be in a good position, especially after the last corner because it was cobblestones after that," Magnier continues. "I started my sprint early to arrive as fast as possible on the cobblestones. They had already made the race hard on the climbs, so I was already at my limit on the last climb. At the top it was still a pretty big group, so I was able to survive the climb. On the descent I tried to save as much energy as possible for the sprint, and thus take the victory."

The French talent got a lead-out from both Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe. "That really gives you wings. That such world-class riders work for you... The team had been controlling the breakaway all day. Then all attacks were stopped, and Remco and Julian did the lead-out. I really have to thank them for that."

Is this the best victory of Magnier's still young career? "Well, every victory counts of course. This one was very nice for me because I already rode a good race in Plouay last week (second in the Bretagne Classic, ed.). Now I can confirm that I am in excellent shape. I hope I can continue to show that in this Tour of Britain."