France's Paul Magnier secured his third stage win in five days at the Tour of Britain on Saturday as Steve Williams maintained his lead in the general classification.
The 20-year-old, who also won the first and fourth stages, benefitted from the three-man breakaway being swallowed up by the peloton in the final kilometre of the 147 kilometre loop around Northamptonshire.
Magnier timed his burst to the line perfectly to beat out Norway's Erlend Blikra and Ethan Vernon of Britain.
🤯 Mind-blowing Magnier!
— Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain (@TourofBritain) September 7, 2024
Heartbreak for a three-rider break that was caught with 1km to go, leading to another hotly contested sprint into Northampton.
Watch the final 1km 👇#TourOfBritain | @LloydsBank | @soudalquickstep pic.twitter.com/I138BsrtIA
"I saved a lot of energy and in the end, I did my best sprint and the victory is super nice," said Magnier.
The Soudal Quick-Step rider will fancy his chances of adding another stage win on the flat 158 km final stage from Lowestoft to Felixstowe.
"Why not? We will try for sure but it’s already super nice to take three victories here but for sure we will try to go again for victory," added Magnier.
👑 Three-peat!
— Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain (@TourofBritain) September 7, 2024
Paul Magnier can't stop winning at the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men and he burst through to take a third stage in West Northamptonshire!
Watch his post-stage interview 👇#TourOfBritain | @LloydsBank | @soudalquickstep pic.twitter.com/SfSMGdSf2S
Williams remains in pole position to win the general classification with a 16-second lead over compatriot Oscar Onley and Mark Donovan 40 seconds off the pace in third.
STAGE FOUR
1. Paul Magnier (FRA/SOQ) 3hr 12min 09sec,
2. Erlend Blikra (NOR/UXM) at same time,
3. Ethan Vernon (GBR/IPT) s.t.,
4. Matevz Govekar (SVN/TBV) s.t.,
5. Rasmus Sojberg Pedersen s.t.
OVERALL STANDINGS
1. Stephen Williams (GBR/IPT) 18hr 02min 56sec,
2. Oscar Onley (GBR/DFP) at 16 sec,
3. Mark Donovan (GBR/Q36) at 40,
4. Tom Donnenwirth (FRA/DAD) at 41.,
5. Joe Blackmore (GBR/IPT) s.t.