Boonen backs Magnier for In Flanders Fields after unlucky Opening Weekend

Magnier is Soudal Quick-Step’s lead rider this year. The sprinter has already won twice in the Tour of the Algarve, but failed to make an impact during the opening weekend. However, that wasn’t entirely his fault. In both Omloop het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, the Frenchman suffered setbacks during the crucial phase of the race.

Despite the lack of results, his team has great confidence in the 21-year-old rider. Tom Boonen, who was in the Soudal Quick-Step support car during Friday’s E3, praised Magnier’s development. “He has matured tremendously and changed a lot physically. If you compare Paul at the start of last season with the end of this season, you can see that he has become a truly strong rider.”

Magnier, who extended his contract through 2029, is now preparing for a full week in Flanders following a disappointing opening weekend. He will compete in In Flanders Fields, Dwars door Vlaanderen, and the Tour of Flanders. The Frenchman is skipping Paris-Roubaix as he prepares for his second Giro d’Italia.

While the Tour of Flanders is ultimately the main goal, the team and Magnier himself want to temper expectations surrounding the Frenchman for now. “I’d like to perform well in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, but we’re taking the time to approach it properly,” Magnier said.

In contrast, Boonen does see In Flanders Fields as a realistic option for the Soudal Quick-Step leader. “Gent-Wevelgem will be a good test this coming Sunday; he has the potential to win races like that.” Though that will be far from easy for the 21-year-old classics rider.

‘You have to train a lot for the classics, to give it your all in a single day, to be able to dictate the pace at the front... But I think Paul has already shown that he is capable of doing that.’ In In Flanders Fields, Magnier will have to contend with riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Jasper Philipsen.