Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) wins opening stage in Tour of Britain with help from Evenepoel and Alaphilippe

The 20-year-old French sprinter Paul Magnier of Souda Quick-Step has won the opening stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain with start and finish in Kelso. Remco Evenepoel made a turn in the last 2.5 kilometers, Julian Alaphilippe piloted him perfectly through the chaotic sprint.

The opening stage of the Tour of Britain ended in the expected sprint. INEOS Grenadiers and Soudal Quick-Step, two heavyweights in a light field, had set their sights on that. While Ethan Hayter of INEOS lost his position, Paul Magnier was perfectly dropped off by Soudal Quick-Step. With just over seven kilometers to go, Baptiste Veistroffer of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale tried to get away, but he was caught three kilometers from the finish. Two-time Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel took the lead of the peloton with more than 2.5 kilometers to go and did a turn of about a kilometer in favor of Paul Magnier and co. It was then up to Julien Alaphilippe to do the real dirty work and keep Paul Magnier at the front in the chaotic final hectometers. Ethan Hayter was no longer to be seen at the front at that point, allowing Magnier to take an authoritative win ahead of Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech) and Robert Donaldson (Trinity Racing).