Magnier wins Giro opener after sprint crash chaos

France’s Paul Magnier claimed the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia after a huge crash during a bunch sprint.

The 22-year-old Soudal-Quick Step rider claimed his first Grand Tour win and the overall leader’s pink jersey, edging out Norway’s Tobias Lund Andresen of Decathlon-CMA CGM by inches, with Britain’s Ethan Vernon third for NSN Cycling.

After 147km of racing in Bulgaria, where the Italian three-week event is holding its first three stages, the whole peloton arrived in Burgas under grey skies for the sprinters to fight for victory.

But with 700 metres to go the road narrowed, and the compression meant about 20 riders collided, crashing heavily and causing some spectators to flee as they hit the barrier.

The riders and broken bikes lying in the road caused a blockade, leaving just 11 competitors to fight it out.

Favourite for the ciclamino points jersey, Italian Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek was part of the group, but unleashed his awesome power too late to catch the top three, finishing fourth.

“We knew the narrow road would be tricky. It’s my first time sprinting against this big sprinter [Milan] – I’m super happy to win,” said Magnier.

Fellow sprinter Dylan Groenewegen appeared to be injured in the crash, riding over the line gingerly.

None of the main contenders for the overall pink jersey, including Denmark’s two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, were affected and crossed the line without losing time thanks to the 3km rule, which allows riders caught up in incidents within that distance to avoid a time penalty.

While the Tour de France likes to focus on the wealthier, seemingly more salubrious parts of Europe to undertake a Grand Depart (such as Barcelona this year and the UK next), the Giro has been commended for embracing less celebrated locations for its Grande Partenza in recent times, such Hungary and Albania.

Bulgaria was resplendent in Friday’s sun-dappled holiday resort of Nessebar for the first of three stages in the eastern European country which has not had too much impact on world sport since Hristo Stoichkov led them to a football World Cup semi-final in 1994.

But it is when the race hits mainland Italy and famous climbs such as Blockhaus (stage seven), and later mountain assaults through the Alps and Dolomites that the destination of the overall pink jersey will be established.

There is no doubt who is expected to win overall – cycling’s second-strongest all-round talent (behind legend Tadej Pogacar, who is not contesting this year’s Giro) Vingegaard is expected to win by several minutes, unless something goes drastically wrong.

But at the Giro, it often does. Spring time in the Alps is still cold and snowy, and the rain in the foothills makes ‘the beautiful race’ one susceptible to dramatic incidents.

If Vingegaard fails to dominate the race, Britain’s Adam Yates of UAE-Team Emirates XRG has as much chance as anyone to try to emulate his now-retired twin brother Simon’s superb, redemptive overall victory last year.

While Yates’ compatriots Jake Stewart and Ethan Vernon, both of the new NSN Cycling team co-owned by former footballer Andres Iniesta, have a chance at winning single hilly and sprint stages respectively.

It is also the first race for the rebranded British Netcompany Ineos team, who dominated the Tour de France across the past decade as Team Sky, and have 2021 Giro d’Italia winner Egan Bernal of Colombia in their ranks.

1. Paul Magnier (FRA/Soudal Quick-Step) 3hrs 21mins 8secs

2. Tobias Lund Andresen (NOR/Decathlon-CMA CGM) same time

3. Ethan Vernon (GB/NSN Cycling) “

4. Jonathan Milan (ITA/Lidl-Trek) “

5. Madis Mihkels (EST/EF Education-Easypost) “

6. Giovanni Lonardi (ITA/Polti-Visit Malta) “

7. Pascal Ackermann (GER/ayco AlUla) “

8. Tord Gudmestad (NOR/Decathlon-CMA CGM) “

9. Max Walscheid (GER/Lidl-Trek) “

10. Dries Van Gestel (BEL/Soudal Quick-Step) “

1. Paul Magnier (FRA/Soudal Quick-Step) 3hrs 21mins 8secs

2. Tobias Lund Andresen (NOR/Decathlon-CMA CGM) 4secs

3. Manuele Tarozzi (ITA/Bardiani CST-7 Saber) “

4. Ethan Vernon (GB/NSN Cycling) 6secs

5. Diego Pablo Sevilla (SPA/Polti-Visit Malta) “

6. Antonio Morgado (POR/EAU-Team Emirates) 8secs

7. Jonathan Milan (ITA/Lidl-Trek) 10secs

8. Madis Mihkels (EST/EF Education-Easypost) “

9. Giovanni Lonardi (ITA/Polti-Visit Malta) “

10. Pascal Ackermann (GER/Jayco AlUla) “