Paul Magnier emerged victorious in the opening stage of the 2026 Giro d'Italia on Friday, claiming his first Grand Tour win in a chaotic bunch sprint marred by a late crash.
The 22-year-old Frenchman, riding for Soudal-Quick-Step, edged out Tobias Lund Andresen after 147km of largely flat racing from Nessebar to Burgas. A crash with 600 metres to go left most of the peloton out of contention, though riders caught behind were not penalised on time.
Magnier becomes the first French rider to wear the pink jersey since Bruno Armirail three years ago. "I'm so proud of the team and so happy to be starting the Giro in such good form," he said. "The finale was chaotic after an easy day for everyone, on a narrow road. Beating such good sprinters here makes me very happy."
Born in Texas and raised in France, Magnier is considered one of his country's rising talents alongside Paul Seixas. His victory follows a disappointing spring classics season, after he began the year with two stage wins at the Volta ao Algarve, and takes his total to 20 career wins.
Jonathan Milan, last year's points classification winner, finished fourth after avoiding the crash that eliminated sprinters such as Dylan Groenewegen and Kaden Groves. Overall favourite Jonas Vingegaard, who rode with a red-painted fingernail to support a children's charity, was among those delayed.
Stage two on Saturday offers a hilly 221km route from Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo.
