Paul Magnier delays first stage race of the year

In the Tour of Valencia, we won't see Paul Magnier next week after all. The super talent from Soudal Quick-Step, who won 19 races in 2025, will return to competition later in February.

The 21-year-old Magnier has already proven he can win sprints, but this year he is also expected to feature in the Flemish (semi)classics with 'the Wolfpack'. It is in that context that he is currently being held back. The team told HLN that "they see more benefit in letting him train at home rather than riding another stage race."

He already started his season last weekend with a second place in the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana. Only Dylan Groenewegen of the Unibet Rose Rockets was ahead of the Frenchman there. For the Flemish Opening Weekend, Magnier will still race the Volta ao Algarve.

Soudal Quick-Step now starts with seven Belgians in Valencia: Yves Lampaert, Steff Cras, Dries Van Gestel, Ayco Bastiaens, Louis Vervaeke, Jasper Schoofs, and Viktor Soenens.