Paul Magnier on being compared to young Wout Van Aert: "It's a nice compliment. Wout van Aert is a great rider"

Paul Magnier entered the professional peloton with a bang, winning his first ever race in the Soudal - Quick-Step jersey at Challenge Mallorca. This of course didn't go unnoticed and many are already drawing parallels between the 19-year-old Frenchman and world's best riders. Now he'll have a chance to show his speed once again at Tour of Oman.

"For example, Remco Evenepoel did not follow the classic route and things happened very quickly for him," he tells Het Nieuwsblad. "Mountain biking has given me a good physical basis. I was also part of the French national squad, which was already a top sporting environment. But of course I still have a lot to learn. Road cycling is a world that I am still discovering."

Lefevere previously indicated that Magnier beat Tim Merlier twice in the sprints during training. "It was uphill and with Tim training is not really a benchmark," he makes an important comment. "He is someone who 'transforms' in a race. In the Alula Tour he already showed how good he is with two very nice victories. Then it doesn't matter whether you win or lose during training in January. Of course it was good for my confidence."

What is impressive is that Magnier produces the wattages that Wout van Aert produced at the same age. "I hadn't heard that before, but it's a nice compliment. Wout van Aert is a great rider. During training I was at 1,800 watts. So with my trainer we now want to go to 2,000 watts. I may not even look like a sprinter, but I often go to the gym now and do a lot of muscle exercises. I'm starting to get a bit of thighs and calves, so to speak."