Paul Magnier wins opening stage of Giro d’Italia marred by crash
France’s Paul Magnier won 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 victory 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. 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.
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