Paul Magnier wins the opening stage of the 2026 Tour of Guangxi

Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) has won the opening stage of the 2026 Tour of Guangxi, the inaugural stage of the race, at the end of a sprint on a wide road. The Soudal Quick-Step rider stopped the clock at 3:00:23, beating Sam Welsford (Netcompany Ineos) and Max Kanter (XDS Astana Team) in the sprint, both credited with the same time as the winner. The race The opening stage was decided with a bunch sprint finish. Magnier found the right gap in the finale, getting ahead of his direct rivals and crossing the finish line first. Behind him, Welsford and Kanter completed the day's podium, while Oded Kogut (NSN Cycling Team) and Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) finished fourth and fifth respectively, all with the same time as the winner. Stage results Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) — 3:00:23 Sam Welsford (Netcompany Ineos) — s.t. Max Kanter (XDS Astana Team) — s.t. Oded Kogut (NSN Cycling Team) — s.t. Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) — s.t. General classification Thanks to his success in the opening stage, Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) is the first leader of the general classification of the 2026 Tour of Guangxi with a time of 3:00:13. Sam Welsford (Netcompany Ineos) follows at 4 seconds, while Fredrik Dversnes (Uno-X Mobility) is third at 4 seconds. Next up The race continues tomorrow with a new stage, the second stage of the 2026 Tour of Guangxi.