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Laura Weislo

Volta ao Algarve: Paul Magnier rockets to stage 1 victory as Soudal-QuickStep control final kilometre

Paul Magnier Jasper Philipsen Jordi Meeus Pavel Bittner Volta ao Algarve AlpecinPremier Tech LidlTrek PicnicPostNL Red BullBoraHansgrohe
TAVIRA, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) Paul Magnier of France and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as stage winner ahead of Jordi Meeus of Belgium and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and Pavel Bittner of Czech Republic and Team Picnic PostNL during the 52nd Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2026 - Stage 1 a 183.5km stage from Vila Real de Santo Antonio to Tavira on February 18, 2026 in Tavira, Portugal. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images).

Paul Magnier gave Soudal-QuickStep their first victory of 2026, winning stage 1 at Volta ao Algarve as he rocketed past Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL).

Magnier had to come from behind as he chose the wheel of Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech), after the Belgian’s team worked most of the day for him, but into the headwind, Magnier jumped at just the right time, leaving Philipsen to settle for fourth.

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