Paul Magnier will aim for another win in front of his home fans.
Last year’s Grand Prix de Fourmies was not just Paul Magnier’s first victory in a one-day race on French soil, but also the start of a fantastic autumn for Soudal Quick-Step’s sprinter, who went on to score 13 more victories in just 17 race days. The first Frenchman in almost a decade to take the spoils in Fourmies, Magnier is back at the start of the 93rd edition, which is scheduled this Sunday, over a 200km up-and-down course featuring almost 2000 meters of climbing.
Paul, the best sprinter of this season’s Giro d’Italia - where he captured three stages and the maglia ciclamino - will be supported this weekend by a strong Soudal Quick-Step team consisting of Ayco Bastiaens, Boucle de l’Artois winner Cériel Desal, former Belgian Champion Yves Lampaert, Laurenz Rex, Dries Van Gestel, and Bert Van Lerberghe.
“Fourmies is one of the most important Autumn one-day races on the French calendar. We’ll try to control it and make sure Paul has a strong lead-out in the finale, which is always hectic there. He won it last year after a great sprint and we are all motivated to fight for another victory there”, explained sports director Wilfried Peeters.
Photo credit: ©Ronny Hartmann / Getty Images
