Quick-Step's 20-year old sprinter on a special victories in Britain - "It was incredible to ride with Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe"
Cycling
Soudal - Quick-Step have had a strong season finishing third in the UCI rankings, however they have had less victories than what they have had in the past. Part of this is because of the team's lesser focus in the sprints, but 20-year old Paul Magnier has won five times in his first year with the team and he recalls great moments in his year.
"When I look back, I can say it was an amazing debut season. I'm happy with my five victories for the WorldTour team and couldn’t have wished for a better season," Magnier said in a BKOOL group ride. "I knew I had completed two good training camps in Spain, but to raise my arms in victory during my first appearance in a Soudal Quick-Step jersey was incredible."
Magnier refers to the Trofeo Ses Salines where he took the victory at only age 19. He and Luke Lamperti were brought in as talented fast men but Magnier has also proven himself as a rider who can handle the hilly terrain. He also won a stage at the Tour of Oman, two at the under-23 Giro and then finished second to Marc Hirschi at the World Tour-level Bretagne Classic.
He ended his season with great form but the true highlight would be his last race: The Tour of Britain. On stage 1, he took the victory: "The team believed in me that day, and after a fantastic effort from the whole squad, I was able to finish it off in the sprint. It was my most emotional victory of 2024 because everything happened so quickly; honestly, I wasn’t even ready for it"
There he had the superb and unexpected leadouts of Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe, riders with three out of five road race world titles in this decade."The victories in the Tour of Britain leave me with beautiful memories, especially because it was incredible to ride with Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe. Having Alaphilippe as my lead-out man made it extra special."
He won three stages ultimately and now puts his eyes in the 2025 season, where he aims to perform in the classics, not only the sprints. "Those are very tough races, mainly because of the battle for position before the climbs and the sometimes harsh weather—rain, wind, and cold temperatures. At the same time, these classics are incredibly beautiful."
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