The 20-year-old extended his lead in the points classification after his second success of the week.
Paul Magnier became the first Frenchman to win a pair of stages at a single edition of the GiroNextGen, one of the most prestigious races on the U23 calendar, and cemented his place at the top of the red jersey standings with four stages to go.
Travelling from Pertusio to Borgomanero over 139 kilometers, day four of the event was a hilly one featuring several climbs, including one that the peloton crested with just seven kilometers to go. Just like on Monday, Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team controlled the breakaway, setting a strong tempo at the front of the bunch and bringing back the last member of that dangerous move in the closing part of the stage. In the sprint, Andrea Raccagni did again a tremendous job, providing a huge lead-out to Paul Magnier, who shot from the pack in the last 150 meters and took another electrifying victory.
“It feels nice to have two stage wins here. It wasn’t easy, but the team did an amazing job so I could get another chance to fight for victory. The bunch gallop was a very nervous one, as many riders still had a lot of energy left and tried to be in a good position going into the final kilometer.”
“I had three teammates with me and they did a huge effort to bring me in a good position. The strong headwind complicated matters a bit, but I just waited for as long as possible to kick out and I am happy I could repay the guys with this win. We have a couple of stages left at the GiroNextGen and we’ll do our best to take some more nice results and the maglia rossa home”, said Paul after delivering Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team’s seventh victory of the year.
Photo credit: ©LaPresse
