Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) has won stage 18 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia, the 171 km long Fai della Paganella-Pieve di Soligo stage, ahead of Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek).
Magnier became the fifth rider in Soudal Quick-Step’s history to win three stages at an edition of the Giro d’Italia after he powered to a clear success in Piave di Soligo, where another display of pure power netted Soudal Quick-Step’s 132nd Grand Tour success.
Few people expected a bunch sprint at the end of stage 18, and the first 60 kilometers showed this, as numerous riders attacked to book a place in the breakaway which eventually formed after more than an hour and a half from the start, when four men got green light to go up the road. They were overhauled by the peloton before the last 20 kilometers, which weren’t that straightforward due to the presence of the steep Muro di Ca’ del Poggio.
One kilometer in length and averaging 11%, this short climb complicated matters a bit and was a serious challenge for the sprinters, who were all distanced on the hardest part, where the gradients reached 20%. Thanks to his Soudal Quick-Step teammates, Magnier made it back to the front inside three kilometers to go, when our squad also reeled in two late attackers.
In the closing kilometer of the race, Jasper Stuyven produced a masterclass in piloting and lead-out, his effort being instrumental in the victory of Paul Magnier, who opened his sprint with just 200 meters to go and once again put more than a bike length into the riders rounding out the podium in Veneto. Thanks to this win, Magnier reclaimed the cyclamen jersey and has a firm grip on it with three stages left at Il Giro.
“I didn’t expect this victory today as the course wasn’t that suited to the fast men, and that’s what makes it so beautiful. I want to thank my team for the confidence, the amazing work they put in and the incredible lead-out. I want now to enjoy my third victory here. To win three stages, spend a day in the maglia rosa and have the ciclamino so close to the finale in Rome is something that I could only dream about before the start of the race and it makes me proud to have achieved all these things together with the Wolfpack”, said a happy Paul, who before Thursday had won in Burgas and Sofia.
Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) retains the Maglia Rosa as he leads the General Classification.
Vingegaard said: “Ca’ del Poggio is a steep climb and there were a lot of spectators so I could feel something special. It was really nice, also with the attack of Afonso Eulalio. Davide Piganzoli is close to him on GC, it would be great for him to win the Maglia Bianca. I’d love to see him in that jersey. I also like winning myself, I’ve always liked to compete with other persons and that’s why I’m enjoying this Giro.”
Stage 16 Brief Results
- Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) – 171 km in 3h46’50”, av. speed 45.231 km/h
- Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) s.t.
- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 16
- Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) at 4’03”
- Thymen Arensman (Netcompany Ineos) at 4’27”
Official Jerseys
- Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia – Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, in cooperation with ITA – Italian Trade Agency – Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna Classification, sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider Classification, born after 1 January 2001, sponsored by Conad – Afonso Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious)
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