Paul Magnier with a decisive success at Eagles' Bridge
Frenchman Paul Magnier recorded his second stage victory in this year's edition of the Giro d'Italia. After a dramatic final sprint along Tsarigradsko Shose Boulevard and the key passage through Eagles' Bridge (Orlov Most) square, he was the first to cross the finish line in Sofia.
"It was extremely competitive, but I managed to find the right moment for the final sprint," shared the winner's team.
Key moments of the stage
- Distance: 175 km from Plovdiv to Sofia.
- Winner's time: 4 hours, 9 minutes, and 42 seconds.
- Runners-up: Jonathan Milan (second) and Dylan Groenewegen (third).
Race development
The stage featured climbs near Borovets, but was decided by a tactical battle in the final kilometers. Three breakaway riders – Diego Sevilla, Manuele Tarozzi, and Alessandro Tonelli – held a lead of over 100 km, but were caught by the main pack shortly before the finish. With this victory, Magnier cements his status as one of the strongest sprinters in the current tour.