Three stages, two victories, one day in the pink jersey and two in the cyclamen jersey: Paul Magnier's record at the start of the Giro is truly exceptional.

"I dreamed of a start like this, and it was our goal to aim for another stage victory. The team did extraordinary work again: we controlled the stage all day long, we knew what was necessary to plan to be in a really good position one kilometer from the finish, and that's what we did. And to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure I would win the stage. I celebrated and then I thought: 'Oh, I wasn't sure about that', but in the end I won, so I'm really happy".

Do you realize the great sprinters you've beaten: Jonathan Milan, Dylan Gronewegen...
"Yes, exactly. I must say that I feel really good and I can compete with the best sprinters in the world, so I'll try to enjoy this moment and continue like this with the team. The sprint was anything but simple, Milan launched very early, I even feared I wouldn't be able to catch up with him but fortunately I found good legs and I made it".

For how long? Do you already know when your next stages will be?

"Well... I think that first of all we'll take a trip to Italy to enjoy the second victory, because it's something extraordinary, and when we arrive in Italy, we'll try to work out a new plan and aim for another stage".

To identify Magnier's next objective is his sports director Davide Bramati: "Starting like this in a Giro is really beautiful, morale is high, the team did great work. Paul is young, he has great room for improvement, in his second Giro he's won two stages and he can continue... The next objective is the Naples stage".

THE PRESS CONFERENCE. At the Giro d'Italia, Magnier is confirming all his enormous potential and today he secured his second victory in this edition of the race, following the inaugural success where he also wore the pink jersey. The French rider dominated the first and third stages, consolidating his lead in the points classification and wearing the prestigious cyclamen jersey.

An impressive display of strength for an athlete still very young but already capable of imposing himself against some of the world's best sprinters. This time the success takes on an even more important meaning, because in the sprint all the great sprinters of the group were present.

At the press conference, Magnier recounted all his emotion: "It's a wonderful day and to win in this way I trained a lot and worked hard to reach this point, but doing it in a race is different. This victory is the fruit of great teamwork: we worked hard to improve our level and now we see the results. Today we were perfect, I'm proud of the work of my teammates and we hope to continue like this in Italy too".

The Frenchman then spoke about the cyclamen jersey, symbol of leadership in the points classification, which he will wear in Italy and with which he will start on Tuesday for the fourth stage from Catanzaro. "Everyone dreams of wearing the cyclamen jersey, Jonathan Milan knows that well, he's won it several times. He's the big favorite for this classification, but I'm showing I'm going strong and I hope to keep it for as long as possible".

Magnier also explained the differences between the first triumph and the one achieved today: "I think the difference between the two victories is that the first one was very exciting, something I didn't expect. We also know that the pink jersey was at stake and that the first day is always very nervous. Then today all the sprinters were competing in the sprint and it was really beautiful".

The young transalpine talent also showed very marked tactical maturity. "What have I learned over these years? I'm definitely trying to improve. I always prefer to start ahead, especially in the last 200 meters, but when you have such a strong team it's also nice to sit on wheels and jump out from the wheels of opponents in the last meters, like it was today".

Decisive once again was the team's work and especially that of Jasper Stuyven, a key man for the French rider's sprints. "Today I had perfect legs, I felt very good. Then once again Jasper Stuyven did great work and I tried to do my best to repay him. The first day, as I said before, not all sprinters were able to sprint because of the crash and today we were all there".

For Magnier, this success already represents one of the most important moments of his career: "This is certainly one of the most beautiful victories of my career. But perhaps I'll remember the first one longer, maybe just because there was the possibility of winning the pink jersey".

Finally, the Frenchman highlighted the enormous progress made in the last year that has led him to compete with the best sprinters in the World Tour. "I've improved a lot, even last year I improved during the season, I won 19 races. But this year is different and I have two victories at the Giro d'Italia with some of the strongest sprinters in the world so I'm confident about my growth".

With two stages won, the cyclamen jersey on his shoulders and a personality already that of a champion, Paul Magnier is taking over the Giro d'Italia and the future of world cycling. And together with Paul Seixas, French cycling can truly dream big for the coming years.