Winner numerous times in 2025, Paul Magnier has established himself as one of the best sprinters in the peloton, at only 21 years old. Where is he located in the hierarchy?
There was a lot of talk at the end of the season about Paul Seixas, the prodigy that France is waiting for. But we must not forget Paul Magnier, who has just signed a very good 2025.
The Frenchman from Soudal-Quick Step ended the season in a cannonball, finishing with a total of 19 victories, just one less than the reference Tadej Pogacar. Among the sprinters, he is the one who has won the most. But as quantity does not always rhyme with quality, the Tricolore does not come out on top
of the Top 10 best sprinters of the year, established by Cyclingnews.
Paul Magnier is preceded (in order) by Tim Merlier, Jonathan Milan, Jasper Philipsen, Mads Pedersen, Olav Kooj and Matthew Brennan. He therefore arrives in 7th position, Kaden Groves, Arnaud De Lie and Jordi Meeus, which is already good for a 21-year-old rider, for whom it was only his second year as a professional.
The verdict for Paul Magnier
“No sprinter has won more races than Paul Magnier, the rising star of Soudal-QuickStep, during the 2025 season. So why isn’t the 21-year-old Frenchman at the top of our end-of-season rankings this year? »writes Cyclingnews.
“His 19 victories are an impressive total, certainly, but 13 of them came at the Tour of Slovakia, the CRO Race and the Tour of Guangxi – races designed for sprinters, far from the level of the Grand Tours or the big stage races of the WorldTour. Nevertheless, he has accumulated victories throughout the year and therefore deserves a top place in our ranking.continues the site.
“Magnier is on the rise and will undoubtedly be a serious contender for victory in the biggest races in the world in the coming seasons. This year he beat riders like Danny van Poppel, Ben Turner, Pavel Bittner and Jordi Meeus, while taking his first WorldTour victory on a stage of the Tour of Poland. Last June, he also beat Jasper Philipsen at Elfstedenronde Brugge. » He now has to compete with the best on the grand tours and the classics. And to beat them.
