Paul Magnier doubles up at Tour of Britain 2024 after another expert leadout from Alaphilippe & Evenepoel

Soudal - Quick-Step youngster Paul Magnier has taken a second stage win at the 2024 Tour of Britain on stage 4, with superstar teammates Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel again playing a key role in the leadout.

Four riders found themselves up the road early on stage 4, but after INEOS Grenadiers called back Ben Swift, the best placed of the trio remaining, being the Irishman, Liam O'Brien of Lidl-Trek at 4:21 down on the race lead. With just over 20km to go, O'Brien left his breakaway companion and rode clear solo, taking the maximum three bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint with around 18km to go. Behind, Mark Donovan bagged an important solitary second, boosting his overall podium hopes.

With O'Brien caught soon after, the pace was brutal all the way to the finale as a number of riders attempted to attack and disrupt a potential bunch sprint finish. Even big names such Stephen Williams, Remco Evenepoel and Oscar Onley were getting involved in the leadout for their respective sprinters, but it was Julian Alaphilippe who played the key role for stage winner Paul Magnier, taking the victory ahead of Ethan Vernon.