'In terms of the level of sprinters here, it’s my biggest win' – Magnier lifts Soudal Quick-Step out of early season limbo

“It’s true that it’s a very good start to the season,” Magnier said to the media in quotes translated by Andy McGrath after winning stage 1 of the Volta ao Algarve. “I had a quite good winter and today was the first time that I rode really with a very strong team. We managed to work together and I made the right decisions.”

For Magnier, the victory carried weight because of the opposition. “I think in terms of the level of sprinters here, it’s my biggest win,” he said. “It allows me to show that I’m in good form and the team really did good work, so it’s only positives for the future."

The finish in Tavira was chaotic and slightly uphill. When Philipsen hesitated, Magnier went left and launched. “Yes, I saw that Philipsen took a bit of time to launch so I decided to go on the left,” he explained. “I felt really strong and it’s the type of finish which suits me really well, so it was perfect.”

The win also ends a small but nagging story that had followed the Belgian squad into Portugal. On the eve of the race, sports director Tom Steels told Domestique the team was ready to move forward as a unit: “We’re going to be competitive as a whole.” Magnier’s sprint removed the pressure of a blank start.

“It’s true it’s been a bit of time that we haven’t won, we’ve had a lot of injuries this winter, especially Tim [Merlier],” Magnier said. “So I think it will do good and motivate the whole team.”

He pointed to composure as the difference in the final kilometres. “It’s good for my morale, it allows me to take confidence well and it’s good we all stayed together in the last kilometres when it was really chaotic.”

Beating Philipsen in a straight fight is never a small line on a palmares, but Magnier framed it as a team statement rather than a personal score. “Yes, well I’ve already beaten him [before], but he had a very good train with him, including Kaden Groves, so I’m very proud of the collective performance.”

Magnier’s eyes are already on the next opportunity. “The legs are really good,” he said. “So, I hope to have a new chance on Saturday.”

Tomorrow, the Volta ao Algarve continues with a 157km stage from Portimão, finishing uphill on Alto da Fóia.