French cyclist Paul Magnier claimed the biggest victory of his young career after winning the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia in dramatic fashion following a massive late crash during the final sprint in Bulgaria.
The 22-year-old Soudal–Quick-Step rider edged Norway’s Tobias Lund Andresen by inches on the line after chaos erupted with just 700 metres remaining in Burgas. Britain’s Ethan Vernon finished third for NSN Cycling.
After 147km of racing under gloomy skies, the peloton entered the Bulgarian city together before disaster struck on a narrowing stretch of road. Around 20 riders crashed heavily in a frightening pile-up, with some spectators forced to move away from the barriers as bikes and riders slid across the finish straight.
The incident created a blockade on the road and left only 11 riders able to contest the sprint victory.
“It’s my first time sprinting against this big sprinter,” Magnier said, referring to Italian favourite Jonathan Milan.
“We knew the narrow road would be tricky. I’m super happy to win.”
Milan, considered the leading contender for the points jersey, launched a late burst of speed but could only manage fourth place after being boxed in by the reduced sprint group.
Dutch sprinter Dylan Groenewegen appeared hurt in the crash and crossed the finish line cautiously.
Meanwhile, the race’s overall favourites, including two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, escaped trouble and finished safely thanks to cycling’s 3km rule, which protects riders caught in late-race incidents from losing overall classification time.
Van der Breggen Takes Charge In Women’s Vuelta
Elsewhere, cycling legend Anna van der Breggen stormed into the overall lead of the Vuelta a España Femenina after winning a rain-soaked sixth stage in northern Spain.
The two-time world champion attacked brilliantly on the brutal slopes of Les Praeres to snatch the red jersey from Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky.
Spain’s Paula Blasi finished second, while French rider Marion Bunel came home third.
“It was a really hard day,” Van der Breggen admitted after conquering the steep mountain finish despite crashing during stage five.
The final stage on Saturday concludes with the iconic climb to L’Angliru, one of cycling’s toughest ascents.
Giro 2026: Vingegaard Starts As Favourite
As the Giro d’Italia begins its three-week journey, attention remains firmly on Vingegaard, who enters the race as the overwhelming favourite to claim the pink jersey.
With Tadej Pogačar absent from this year’s race, many expect the Danish star to dominate once the race reaches Italy’s legendary mountain stages, including the brutal climbs through the Alps and Dolomites.
However, the Giro is famous for unpredictable weather, crashes and dramatic twists, meaning nothing is guaranteed.
Britain’s Adam Yates will hope to challenge for overall glory after his twin brother Simon Yates won the race last year. Fellow Britons Jake Stewart and Ethan Vernon are also targeting stage victories for the ambitious NSN Cycling team co-owned by football icon Andrés Iniesta.
Another storyline to watch is the debut of the rebranded Netcompany Ineos squad, featuring former Giro winner Egan Bernal.
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