Paul Magnier avoided a massive crash to claim the first stage of the Giro d’Italia
Paul Magnier takes the stage
LUCA BETTINI / AFP
After a relatively uneventful opening stage, Paul Magnier emerged victorious in a reduced sprint following a major crash. The French rider will wear the first maglia rosa of this year’s Giro d’Italia on Saturday.
The Giro d’Italia kicked off in spectacular fashion… from Bulgaria.
While Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) was the overwhelming favorite for the overall win, Friday’s stage was set for a bunch sprint featuring a logical trio of contenders: Jonathan Milan (Lidl – Trek), Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM Team), and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step).
From the very start, Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Team Polti VisitMalta) launched the first attack. However, the peloton kept them under control throughout, as their goal was not stage victory but the blue jersey for the best climber.
Magnier and the crash
Sevilla crossed the summit of the first of two climbs up Cape Agalina (1.1 km at 2.6%) first, then let his companion take the intermediate sprint before sealing a double win and securing the azzurro jersey. With 40 km to go, the breakaway tried to hold on until the famous “Red Bull Kilometer”. Tarozzi claimed the 10-second bonus ahead of Sevilla, while António Morgado (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) finished third.
The duo of escapees was caught just before the 20 km mark, setting the stage for a sprint finish – with all its inherent risks. Everything seemed calm until the final 5 km, after which riders would be given the same time if an incident occurred. And that crash happened right under the flamme rouge (last kilometer banner), leaving only a handful of riders to contest the win.
In the sprint, Paul Magnier was best positioned and had the most support. Going head-to-head with Andresen, the Frenchman powered to an authoritative victory.
In his second Grand Tour, the French rider raised his arms for the first time, and as an extra reward, he will don the maglia rosa on Saturday.
Mentions: Road cycling, Giro d’Italia, Paul Magnier.