Paul Magnier claimed his third stage victory in this year's Giro d'Italia, cementing his status as the dominant sprinter of the race. The 22-year-old Frenchman won stage 18, a rolling 171km route from Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Solgo, to reclaim the points leader's ciclamino jersey.
Stage 18 Details
Magnier received an ideal leadout from his Soudal-QuickStep teammate Jasper Stuyven before holding off Edoardo Zambanini and Jonathan Milan in the final sprint. This was Magnier's third stage win of the 2026 Giro, his second Grand Tour appearance.
The stage looked set to favour a breakaway, but a group of four escapees, including Britain's James Shaw, was caught on the approach to the short, sharp climb of the Muro di Ca' del Poggio, which came approximately 10km from the finish. Magnier's Soudal-QuickStep teammates then reeled in an attack from Johannes Kulset and Afonso Eulalio to set up a sprint in which Magnier launched first and always appeared in control.
“I did not expect it to happen today, which makes it even more beautiful,” Magnier said. “I really thank the team for their confidence in me. I was not confident myself, but they made it a sprint and I’m so happy to win here today.”
General Classification Update
The main favourites crossed the line in the bunch, meaning no changes at the top of the general classification. Jonas Vingegaard remains in the pink jersey, leading Felix Gall by four minutes and three seconds heading into a big mountain stage on Friday.
Stage 19 is likely to prove pivotal in the chase for general classification places, with the peloton taking on six categorised climbs and 5,000 metres of vertical ascent in the Dolomites.
