Omloop Nieuwsblad

Sensational Magnier runner-up on Omloop debut

Paul Magnier signed off the team’s first podium in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad since 2021 at the end of a spectacular race, that came down to a bunch sprint despite the numerous attacks that were launched on the Molenberg, Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg.

The Frenchman, who raced on the cobbles for the first time in his career just six weeks away from his 21st birthday, rode a perfect race Saturday afternoon, making sure he was in all the big moves of the day before showing his incredible speed in the closing 200 meters, where the finish line came a bit too early for him.

Saturday’s race, the 80th edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, had all the usual ingredients of a classic: a plethora of attacks from the beginning, eleven hills, lots of cobblestone sectors, a fierce fight for positioning, a late move that threatened the bunch gallop that many teams were gambling on and a thrilling finish in Ninove, after 197 kilometers from the start in Gent.

Soudal Quick-Step was again prominent on our favourite terrain, doing a superb job for Paul Magnier – who exceeded expectations on his debut on the cobbles – and keeping things together in the last kilometers for the talented Frenchman, one of last season’s revelations. The incredible Paul produced a huge acceleration to take second – just a wheel behind Søren Wærenskjold (Uno X-Mobility) – for our 22nd top three finish at the Opening Weekend.

“The team encouraged me the whole day and protected me the entire time, making sure I was in a good position going into all the important climbs, while I tried to save as much energy as possible. It was a nervous race, but we did a good job and we can be proud of this”, said Paul, after becoming the youngest rider since Eddy Merckx in 1966 to finish on the podium here.

“Second place is a bit frustrating, especially as I was so close, but at the end of the day, it’s a podium in my first cobbled Classic, so at the same time, I am happy with this result after a hard race and an equally hard sprint in the headwind. It’s a good result for us and for our confidence to kick off the Classics. Now I will focus on Le Samyn next week and hopefully I will be in the position to fight for a good result also there”, added Magnier, the man responsible for France’s best result in 31 years at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images

                       ©Wout Beel