Tour of Flanders debutant Magnier extends with Soudal Quick-Step: "One of the best young riders right now"

Good news for Soudal Quick-Step: rising star Paul Magnier has extended his contract through 2027. The fast Frenchman has made a huge impression over the past two years, so it’s no surprise that the Belgian team has chosen to keep him a little longer. The 20-year-old sprinter will make his debut in the Tour of Flanders this Sunday — and does so immediately with protected status.

Magnier announced the news on the team’s YouTube channel. “I’m really proud and happy to announce that I will stay until 2027. I feel really good here, and I would like to continue to progress as much as possible with this super team.” Earlier this year, Magnier won the opening stage of the Étoile de Bessèges and later claimed an impressive second place in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

CEO Jurgen Foré is also pleased that Magnier has chosen to stay longer. “Paul is one of the very best young riders right now,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “He’s already had a fantastic start to his career, and we believe he’ll grow into one of the cornerstones of the team’s future success.” Within the team, many see Magnier as a potential new Tom Boonen — a classics king who can also win sprints.

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First time in Flanders: “Really looking forward to it”

The contract extension was a no-brainer — for the rider as well. “With the result I made last year with the team and also how comfortable and good I feel here with the team, the staff, and everybody involved in that big team — from the first training camp in December to all the races I did and all the good memories I had — I think my biggest memory was Tour of Britain with Julian Alaphilippe and Remco, where we made some good results.” The young sprinter won two stages during that race.

Magnier has one big goal for the coming years: to win more. “All the victories are really important for me and for the team. Every victory is made by me but also by all the teammates and all the people around — they all count. We all feel really comfortable with each other, and I think it helps a lot for team spirit on the race and out the race.” Despite his young age, Magnier already has six professional wins to his name.

This Sunday, the Frenchman will line up for his first-ever Tour of Flanders. He’s eager to get going, especially after a successful debut on the Flemish cobbles earlier this year. “For sure will be a first big, big, big race — big Monument. I’m really excited about it. I’m here in the team where they won a lot already that race. We also have some really motivated riders. It will be hard, but the weather will be good, so I’m really looking forward to it."

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