Paul Magnier is ambitious for the complete Giro opening weekend after 'very good preparation'

The sprint field at the Giro d'Italia is stacked, despite the absences of Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier. The fight for the purple jersey promises to be intense, with Paul Magnier firmly among the top contenders. The Soudal Quick-Step Frenchman set out his Giro ambitions at the team presentation on Wednesday.

Magnier lost to Dylan Groenewegen on the very first race day of his season in Valencia on 25 January — but on day two he got his revenge on the Dutchman. That came in the Algarve, where he later added a second victory. Those two wins remain his only victories of the year so far. Via the Opening Weekend of Omloop Nieuwsblad, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and a handful of Flemish Classics, he built his way towards the Giro's opening weekend here in Bulgaria.

What does that good form make possible for the sprinter from Laredo? "We have quite a few opportunities. Last year I came here really just to discover the race. This year we have a team built around me and built to try to get a win. The first chances in Bulgaria are interesting."

And by that Magnier does not mean only the opening stage. "I'm looking at the first three stages. The second will be a bit harder already, but we will focus on the first three. To be honest, I haven't really looked at the rest yet. I've been told there are five or six sprints in total, normally."

One more thing worth noting for fantasy league players: Magnier was also asked whether his goal is to make it all the way to Rome — unlike Arnaud De Lie, who has already confirmed he will leave the race early. "The goal is definitely to go to the end," he says firmly.