Paul Seixas: How Decathlon CMA CGM Star Dominated Faun-Ardèche Classic Solo
GUILHERAND-GRANGES, France – , Paul Seixas, 19, delivered a stunning solo victory at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, riding away from a strong field and echoing the aggressive tactics of cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar. The Decathlon CMA CGM rider attacked with remaining, building a lead that his rivals could not close, securing his second professional win in as many weeks following a stage win at the Volta ao Algarve.
Seixas’s audacious move came after the early breakaway was reeled in, immediately fracturing the peloton. He quickly established a ten-second advantage, a gap he relentlessly expanded on the challenging course featuring 11 climbs over 187.6 kilometers. The young Frenchman’s performance drew comparisons to Pogačar, not just in his attacking style but in the confidence and composure he displayed throughout the race.
“He looks as energetic as Tadej Pogačar and as effortless as Mathieu van der Poel,” noted observers, as Seixas continued to extend his lead, even gaining time on the final ascent of the Val d’Enfer, into his solo effort. He eased slightly in the final two kilometers, but the win was already assured.
Behind Seixas, Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) edged out Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) in a sprint for second place, while Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike), who briefly contested Seixas’s initial attack, finished fourth. The race unfolded on a cool, drizzly day, adding to the difficulty of the already demanding course.
The victory wasn’t simply a matter of physical prowess; it was a calculated risk, planned in advance. Sébastien Joly, one of Decathlon CMA CGM’s sports directors, revealed that Seixas had envisioned this scenario, factoring in a shift in wind direction. “The weather forecasts were predicting a south wind, so we initially cautioned him. But when the wind turned north, it reignited his ideas,” Joly explained.
Cyril Dessel, the other Decathlon CMA CGM director, added that Seixas had proactively discussed his strategy. “When we talked about the race plan, he told me he envisioned finishing alone. I reminded him of the strong start list, suggesting he might be better off going with four or five riders, but he was determined.”
Seixas’s decision to attack when he did was strategic. “Going over Saint-Romain-de-Lerps, it would have been difficult to craft a difference in the Val d’Enfer over just one kilometer to drop the best riders,” Dessel said. The team executed a plan to position Seixas for his move, with Jordan Labrosse setting the pace before Seixas launched his decisive attack.
Labrosse described the execution: “Noa (Isidore) dropped me from the top of the climb, it was perfect. Then I did my job until the left turn. Paul took over from there… The plan was executed perfectly.”
The team’s approach was to allow Seixas to dictate the race. Joly emphasized, “We didn’t say anything. We could see on the screen he was cracking everyone. We know that when he’s at the front, he makes intelligent decisions, like he did in Algarve. We didn’t seek to restrain him. If we put any brakes on him, we would have ruined everything. He maneuvered perfectly at the top. He has such serenity and strength that it allows him to do things right.”
Jorgenson’s attempt to stay with Seixas proved unsustainable. “We saw he wasn’t looking excellent,” Joly added. “Paul has an instinct, and I didn’t want to tell him what to do. Of course, the day he makes a large strategic mistake, we’ll tell him. But when we knew he wanted to make this move, we had to let him.”
Aurélien Paret-Peintre, a veteran rider, anticipated Seixas’s move, recognizing the difficulty of the course. “With the difficulty of the course, I suspected he would isolate himself on the climb. We had to tighten up. The course was hard, he was the strongest, and he managed it really well. It was impressive. But I’m not surprised given his abilities.”
Seixas’s performance has already prompted discussion about his potential. While comparisons to Pogačar and other top riders are being made, Joly cautioned against it. “Comparing him to anyone would be a mistake. He’s just Paul Seixas, and that’s already pretty good.” The question now is what the future holds for this rapidly ascending young talent, with the Strade Bianche looming as a potential proving ground against the world’s best.