Magnier claim third Giro stage victory

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• Published10 minutes ago

Frenchman Paul Magnier won stage 18 after a bunch sprint to seal a hat-trick of victories at this year's Giro d'Italia.

Soudal–Quick-Step rider Magnier beat Italians Edoardo Zambanini and Jonathan Milan to the line in Pieve di Soligo on Thursday to reclaim the points jersey from Ecuador's Jhonatan Narvaez.

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard holds the overall leader's pink jersey, with Austrian Felix Gall and Dutchman Thymen Arensman his closest challengers.

This was Magnier's first stage win since the race left Sofia in Bulgaria following stage three earlier this month.

The 22-year-old, who is making his debut, also triumphed in the opening 147km stage from Nessebar to Burgas.

"I did not think that it would happen today so it makes it even more beautiful," Magnier told TNT Sports.

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"I was not confident in myself this morning. I even dropped on the first climb and then I tried to focus again.

"My team-mates were around me on the climb and they made it a sprint. I'm so happy to win today."

He also thanked his Soudal–Quick-Step team-mate Jasper Stuyven, whose launch in the chaotic closing stages put Magnier in the perfect position on the final right-hand bend to sprint away from his competitors on the end straight.

"[Magnier] is a wonderful racer. We took the pressure off today, told him to stay focused, that it might be his day," said Belgian Stuyven.

Friday's stage 19 is the first of two punishing mountain stages before Sunday's procession finale in Rome.

The 151km queen stage in the Dolomites features six categorised climbs, with the peloton reaching the highest peak of the race at Passo Giau on their way to a summit finish at Alleghe.

Giro d'Italia stage 18 results

1. Paul Magnier (Fra/Soudal–Quick-Step) 3hrs 48 mins 50secs

2. Edoardo Zambanini (Ita/Bahrain-Victorious) Same time

3. Jonathan Milan (Ita/Lidl–Trek)

4. Francesco Busatto (Ita/Alpecin–Premier Tech)

5. Corbin Strong (Nzl/NSN Cycling Team)

6. Guillermo Thomas Silva (Uru/XDS Astana Team)

7. Madis Mihkels (Est/EF Education–EasyPost)

8. Filippo Magli (Ita/Bardiani CSF 7 Saber)

9. Sakarias Koller Loland (Nor/Uno-X Mobility)

10. Lukas Kubis (Svk/Unibet Rose Rockets)

Giro d'Italia general classification results after stage 18

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) 70hrs 44mins 04secs

2. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-CMA CGM) +4mins 03secs

3. Thymen Arensman (Ned/Netcompany Ineos Cycling) +4mins 27secs

4. Jai Hindley (Aus/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +5mins

5. Afonso Eulalio (Por/Bahrain-Victorious) +5mins 40secs

6. Derek Gee-West (Can/Lidl-Trek) +7mins 09secs

7. Michael Storer (Aus/Tudor Pro Cycling Team) +7mins 14secs

8. Davide Piganzoli (Ita/Visma-Lease a Bike) +7min 57secs

9. Damiano Caruso (Ita/Bahrain-Victorious) +8mins 34secs

10. Ben O'Connor (Aus/Jayco-AlUla) +9mins 20secs

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