Just twenty-one years old, Paul Magnier is already one of the most anticipated faces in French cycling: a sprinter and classics specialist, a budding rider with Soudal Quick-Step, he spoke about his future plans, and his desire to do well is evident. Clearly ambitious, he is eager to be a protagonist at the Tour and in the meantime is eyeing the Classics, convinced he is the young prodigy France sees at the top of the most important races.

This week the Vélo d'Or was awarded, the most important prize in cycling, which a jury of journalists from around the world assigns to the strongest rider each year. Magnier wants this award, not only because it is awarded in France, but because he is certain he can merit it one day.

«To get the Vélo d'Or, I need to win more important races and I know I must participate in the Tour in the coming years – Magnier stated -: we'll see during the 2026 season what I'll be able to do. The Tour de France does not seem to be in the immediate future. Tim Merlier is very focused on this race at the moment. On my part, I prefer to continue preparing and aim for other stage races like the Giro, in addition to the Classics».

The young Frenchman could be the key man at the Giro d'Italia, and many stages of the route suit his characteristics. «My number one goal are the Classics, but also sprints. I discovered I have a talent for sprinting and would like to improve in the Classics. This year we'll have a much stronger team, with riders like Stuyven and Van Baarle. This will allow us to arrive with a solid team, and it's up to me to find my place to do the sprints».

Soudal – Quick Step, after Remco Evenepoel's departure, wants to return to its roots and reconfirm itself as a team for one-day races, capable of winning important races like the Monument Classics.

«Certainly with Remco Evenepoel's departure, new opportunities have opened up. The team has always been very focused on the Classics. The arrival of new high-level riders in this specialty will allow us to rebuild a solid group and aim for big victories. We know that the spirit of the Classics suits me very well. I love challenging races, even if I still have some obstacles to overcome. It motivates me a lot to try to win a great classic and I hope to get there one day».

Magnier is a determined rider who knows what he wants, and his intention is to reach great success quickly. He had already come close to victory in prestigious races this season, and in 2026 his desire is to improve.

«If you remember, I came close to winning at the Omloop. It would be fantastic to win, and why not start right with the Omloop? And then there are races like the E3 or Through Flanders, a bit lower in the hierarchy but still with an enormous level of competition. The goal is to do well in those races. I want to improve and have fun in the classics, and to have fun, you must be at the front. That's why I'll prepare myself at my best for the next season, because I want to have fun, do well, and finally reach the important podiums».