Joy at Soudal Quick-Step as zero tops the rankings: "But classics are most important"

Joy all around in the Soudal Quick-Step camp on Wednesday. In a gray and gloomy Tavira, Paul Magnier sprinted to victory in the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve 2026. After his nineteen (!) wins last year, it’s no big surprise, but it’s special because it’s the Belgian team’s first win of the year. And that only on February 18th. Magnier emphasizes that the winless opening weeks were not an issue within the team.

"This doesn’t change much about our season," says the 21-year-old Frenchman. "We are mainly focused on the classics, and those are the most important. But it’s already great to take a win here because it will motivate the rest of the team, also in all the other races. And the form is definitely good."

Although Magnier denies it, Dries Van Gestel indicates that ‘the first’ was discussed within The Wolfpack. "At the training camp, the media department of the team brought up the question. Of course, I had to say Paul Magnier, and we were right," he laughs. Van Gestel was the lead-out and was also in the front row during the finale of the opening stage in the Algarve.

"The perfect plan doesn’t exist, that’s a utopia. It was a bit by feel, and we had to move forward at the right moment," he looks back on the sprint preparation. "Yves Lampaert brought me well to the last 800 meters, and I could go until the last corner at 400 meters. Paul was around position four or five then, so it wasn’t up to me to push any further. He launched at the right moment, and I saw Jordi Meeus also sprinting. But voila, he wins!"

"Zero wins? It’s always nice to win, we don’t deny that. We’ve already had some bad luck this year, and Tim Merlier still has to wait to start his season, so it’s nice to be part of the team that wipes zero off the board."

For newcomer Jasper Stuyven, there is now a 100 percent record; his first race day with Soudal Quick-Step immediately delivers a victory for the team. "Very nice, and very fun," he laughs right after the finish. "Otherwise, you’d have to say you’re already looking at Saturday (the next sprint chance, ed.), while now we already have this in the bag. That’s always better. My first official workday and immediately a win: I’m going to keep that stat for a while!"

Stuyven was previously a fixed part of Lidl-Trek, also in the sprint train. But he doesn’t compare Magnier to another team leader he has worked for. "That’s difficult; everyone has their own personality. And it’s our first race of the year, so ask me that question again at the end of the year," he grins.