Paul Magnier animated the demanding finale in Schwäbisch Hall.
The first stage of the Deutschland Tour was the race’s first real test of endurance: on the 216km route, the riders tackled a total of 3000 meters of climbing - a parcours that featured constant ups and downs through the Spessart and offered the riders little opportunity to rest. As if this wasn’t enough, a tough final lap, with an uphill finish, spiced up the fight for victory in Schwäbisch Hall, where a stage concluded for the first time in history.
Attacks came thick and fast on the hilly final part of the race, and one of them had green jersey wearer Paul Magnier as protagonist. The Frenchman initially responded to a dangerous move before establishing a good gap on the chasers together with Louis Barre (Visma-Lease a Bike). The uphill finish proved to be too much for Paul, who despite his best efforts, was caught by the chasers with one kilometer to go.
Maximilian Schachmann concluded the day as the first Soudal Quick-Step rider home, while Andrea Raccagni is our team’s best-placed member in the general classification, fifth with three stages to go.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
