How 'special' Paul Magnier proved he can mix it with 'best sprinters in the world' with Stage 3 Sofia masterclass at Giro d'Italia

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The sky appears to be the limit for French sprinting sensation Paul Magnier after the Soudal Quick-Step rider claimed a second Giro d’Italia stage win in three races in Sofia on Sunday.

Highlights: Magnier claims second stage win with spectacular Sofia sprint

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Aged just 22, Magnier lit up the opening few days in Bulgaria and saved his best for the capital as he overpowered illustrious rivals Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) to win by half a wheel-length.

Another dazzling display left The Breakaway team of Matt Stephens, Robbie McEwen and Adam Blythe in awe of a ”raw talent” whose form could worry team-mate Tim Merlier, while Magnier described his booming self-belief.

”I have to say I feel really good, and I can be with the best sprinters in the world,” Magnier said after his latest victory. ”I will try to enjoy this moment and keep going like this with the team.

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”I dreamed about it and it was the goal to go for the stage again. The team did an amazing job again. We controlled the day and had a plan to really be in a good position with 1km to go, and this is what we did.

”I was not really sure [that I won] the stage to be honest, I celebrated and then said, 'I’m not sure'. But in the end, I won, so I’m really happy.”

Who is top dog in sprinting? 'Special, raw talent' Magnier makes case at Giro d'Italia

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Next up is a rest day on Monday as the peloton packs its bags to head west to Italy for the remainder of the three-week race.

Fan favourite Milan is a four-time stage and two-time points classification winner at his home Grand Tour, but Magnier’s ability to power past the Italian - as well as Groenewegen - left the Breakaway team excited about what the future holds.

”He is racking [wins] up double-time, and has doubled up already in this Giro. And so impressively, with that much power to pass a guy like Milan,” McEwen said.

”Even if Milan said earlier, ‘maybe I’m at 98%’, it doesn’t matter what % – you beat Jonathan Milan. You’ve done an excellent job.

”The top three, all their teams did incredibly well, but it shows you the minute differences between winning and going back to the bus disappointed.”

‘Special’ Magnier compared to Merlier

Stephens was impressed by the technique of the youngster after a thrilling finale to Stage 3 on Sunday.

”Looking at his style, the back wheel hardly moves. Look how straight his bike is,” Stephens said.

”He’s so efficient compared to all the riders around him, where you could see there was a clear effort, moving side to side. Just his efficiency in that sprint, the way he was stomping on the pedals, he is something special.

”The beautiful thing about this young rider as well, he has come through the ranks of this team, he’s not a big signing, they have nurtured him from the very beginning.

”He is a raw talent but so, so smooth – it belied the amount of power he is putting through the bike. Just ridiculously efficient.”

Magnier edges Milan to claim second Giro d’Italia 2026 stage win – ‘Absolutely amazing!’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Magnier’s form will undoubtedly capture the attention of team-mate Tim Merlier, who was not named in Soudal Quick-Step’s team for this year’s Giro but is a seven-time stage winner in the Giro and the Tour de France.

”Imagine being this good and being the understudy to another sprinter, who is Tim Merlier, one of the absolute best sprinters – if not the best – in the peloton at the moment?” said McEwen.

Blythe replied: ”He is so similar to Tim, isn’t he? When you look at the way he sprints, quite a big gear and very big power he can put down. He is a force to be reckoned with, I’m sure Tim is thinking: ‘Hmm…’”

McEwen asked: ”Who is top dog now? You’re only as good as your last week.”

Stage 4 takes place on Tuesday, May 12, a flat 138km run from Catanzaro to Cosenza in southern Italy that could provide another opportunity for the sprinters.

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