PIEVE DI SOLIGO, Italy, May 28 (Reuters) - France's Paul Magnier made it a hat-trick of victories in this year's Giro d'Italia as he won a bunch sprint at the end of stage 18 on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Soudal Quick-Step rider was perfectly set up by teammate Jasper Stuyven in the final few high-speed turns and powered to the line ahead of two Italian sprinters.
Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) was second with Jonatham Milan (Lidl-Trek) third.
Victory for Magnier, who also won the first and third stages in Bulgaria, means he takes the lead in the points classification.
Overall race leader Jonas Vingegaard attacked on the day's short sharp final climb inside the final 10km but settled for a place in the main bunch to preserve his big lead.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
