The Frenchman made it 20 pro wins on the opening stage of the Tour of Guangxi.
Paul Magnier started the Tour of Guangxi with a bang, taking the opening stage in Fangchenggang after another towering sprint. The 21-year-old has now won at least a stage in his last three races: Okolo Slovenska, Cro Race, and the Tour of Guangxi, the season’s final World Tour event. In doing so, he became the first overall leader of the Chinese race, which is running its sixth edition, one that is sure to give several opportunities to the fast men.
Consisting of several laps, stage 1 was a pretty straightforward one, animated by two different breakaways chased by the sprinters’ teams, including Soudal Quick-Step. A stage victor here last year, Warre Vangheluwe did an excellent job at the front of the bunch, helping it catch the first of these moves and later reel in also the other two escapees, inside the closing 20 kilometers.
Going under the flamme rouge, a crash split the peloton, leaving only a handful of riders in contention, including Magnier. The phenomenal Frenchman had Dries Van Gestel with him, who once again delivered a sensational lead-out, leaving Paul in an excellent position with 150 meters to go, and the 21-year-old from Grenoble didn’t miss the opportunity to surge past the others and take his 20th victory in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey.