With two victories in the first three stages, Paul Magnier, the young Soudal Quick-Step rider, confirms that he is already one of the best sprinters on the planet at just 22 years old, with a broad range of skills that should also allow him to shine in the classics, a perfect complement to Seixas, who is more of a climber.
Magnier, tall and brunette at 1.87m, was initially considered a good climber in juniors before shifting towards being a heavyweight rider due to his good appetite and tendency to quickly build muscle.
If he took time to discover himself, it’s because this hyperactive individual started cycling relatively late, around the age of 14, after trying out various sports like mountain biking.
Born on April 14, 2004, in Laredo, Texas, Magnier spent his early years in the United States before returning to France, where he played handball, tennis, and skied in Grenoble before pursuing a career in cycling.
His debut on the road, which he initially disliked, began at the Charvieu-Chavagneux club before joining the British team Trinity and later moving to the Belgian Soudal Quick-Step team in 2024.
From the start, he impressed teammates like Tim Merlier, beating him in a sprint during his first training session, and Julian Alaphilippe, who took him under his wing.
Some hailed him as the “new Tom Boonen,” capable of dominating races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, and Magnier’s early success only fueled those comparisons.
Confident and unassuming, Magnier downplays the comparisons to past cycling greats, showing a relaxed attitude even in the face of high expectations.
Expressing admiration for riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Magnier is focused on excelling in classic races and sprints, already achieving 19 victories in 2025, with only Tadej Pogacar surpassing him.
Known for his power on the bike, Magnier’s exuberant personality shines through both on and off the road, reflecting a mix of determination and easy charm.
Despite his young age, Magnier has become a leader in his team, setting his sights on becoming a world champion one day when the courses favor his sprinting abilities.
Acknowledging the expectations placed on him, Magnier hopes to be seen as the future of French cycling, a status he has been steadily solidifying with his impressive performances.
