Magnier's Tour de France dream on the back burner with presence of Merlier: 'I need to win bigger races'

Only one rider won more races than Paul Magnier in 2025. Behind Tadej Pogacar, the young Frenchman collected an impressive 19 victories, yet it still wasn’t enough to claim the award for best French rider at the Vélo d’Or gala. Not that it bothers him - his focus is firmly on performing in next year’s Classics, helped by a strengthened team around him.

The prize for best French rider went to Kévin Vauquelin, thanks to his Tour de France exploits. But what more could Magnier have done? “I need to win bigger races,” he says modestly to Cyclism'Actu. “No, it’s cool that Vauquelin won; I think he really delighted the French public in the Tour de France. And I’m already looking forward to riding the Tour myself in the coming years.”

For now, though, the Tour doesn’t appear to be in his immediate future. The hierarchy within Soudal Quick-Step remains clear. “The Tour de France doesn’t seem like a priority for me at the moment. Tim Merlier is really focused on it right now. I prefer to keep training and aim for the other Grand Tours, like the Giro, and the Classics.” This year, the 21-year-old Frenchman made his debut in the Giro d’Italia, his first Grand Tour.

In 2026, however, his focus will shift even more toward the spring. “The Classics are my main goal, but also the sprints. I’ve discovered that I really have sprint potential and I want to get better in the Classics. This year we have a much stronger team, with riders like Stuyven and Van Baarle. That allows us to arrive with a solid squad, and it’s up to me to find my place.”

The departure of the team’s former superstar has shifted the dynamic at Soudal Quick-Step. “With Remco Evenepoel leaving, new opportunities have opened up,” Magnier acknowledges. “The team has always been very focused on the Classics. The arrival of new riders who are strong in this discipline allows us to build a solid team and aim for beautiful victories.”

Given his speed and strength on the cobbles, the comparison between Magnier and Jasper Philipsen is easily made, but he insists he is still figuring himself out. “Even I don’t know exactly yet. But the atmosphere of the Classics suits me well. I love tough races, even if I still have some obstacles to overcome. It motivates me enormously to try to win a major Classic one day.”