Grand Magnier

After another succesful season I think it is about time that Paul Magnier gets his own topic.

He already had a very good first pro year with a debut win on Mallorca and after that multiple wins in Oman, the Giro Next Gen, and Tour of Britain but arguably his most impressive performance was his 2nd place in Bretagne Classic.

In 2025 he again started with an opening win to the season at Besseges to then get a string of second places in Figueira, the Omloop, Samyn thereby also showing his potential in the cobble classics.

His GT debut in the Giro then was a bit underwhelming. His leadout never really got him into decent position and he had a couple of unlucky stages as well. So many lessons learned but no big successes.

After the Giro however the Laredo born Frenchman has been nothing short of impressive snatching up 13(!) victories since the start of June until the moment of writing. Most victories through sprints in lower ranked stage races, however also a WT victory in Poland and a very impressive solo victory in Dwars door Hageland that stand out.

With Evenepoel leaving it is quite sure that Magnier will get an even more important role within the Soudal Quick-Step setup. And one might even hope that this is the golden boy that can bring them new successes in the spring classics!
 
11 wins is in his last 14 race days is peak Freddy Maertens style dominance although the latter was doing it in Giro and Vuelta stages.

As impressive as it is I do also feel it is an indictment of dismal parcours designed of the smaller stage races he has been in that have been all 3-4 sprint stages and 1 GC day allowing him to rack up the wins.
 
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Paul reminds me a bit of early stage Lukaku. Not washed, lumbering too much gym and looks like he's gassed after 30 seconds Rom, but BIG Rom, Everton-Rom, where it feels like all the underlings are charging into him full pelt with spears and swords and just bouncing off him as he throws everyone aside.

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