Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard

Paul Magnier continues to lead the general classification at his home race after finishing a solid third on the second stage, despite coming from far back in the last 200 meters in what turned out to be a hectic, crash-marred sprint in Marguerittes.

The day was once again controlled by the Soudal Quick-Step boys, who kept the five-man breakaway’s gap in check, reeled in the attackers before the last ten kilometers and also made sure of bringing back the riders who tried to open a gap on the 5.2km-long Côte Cabrières, the most important hurdle of the stage, which the riders had to tackle twice.

In the final kilometers, a series of roundabouts and tricky corners disrupted the lead-out trains that were jostling for position, but despite finding himself far from the front, Paul generated an incredible speed and managed to clinch third, behind Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility), who took the win. The bonus seconds he captured on the line helped Paul extend his buffer over the next rider in the standings to eight seconds ahead of Friday’s hilly stage three.

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