Paul Seixas: Rising Star Nearly Beats Pogačar at Strade Bianche 2026
For a 19-year-old, the hype feels justified. Paul Seixas finished just one minute behind world champion Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche, a remarkable feat for his debut in the notoriously challenging Italian race.
The performance was even more impressive considering Seixas, riding for Decathlon CMA CGM, managed to drop Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) despite the Mexican’s extended efforts to mark him throughout much of the race. Seixas ultimately finished nine seconds ahead of del Toro, securing a well-deserved second place.
“It’s a great result,” Seixas told media after the race. “I didn’t say it in the [pre-race] interview, but we still aimed for the podium today. It’s definitely a extremely ambitious goal. I never did this race before, I barely knew the sectors. So, I knew I had to rely a bit on my cyclocross skills.”
Seixas, a former cyclocross competitor, acknowledged that his skills in that discipline were somewhat diminished after a two-year hiatus. “They were not enough, you know, since I stopped [that sport] two years ago. So, I managed to ride a bit and then I fought all day to get this result. But it’s mainly the team’s work that was very impressive.”
A Day Marked by Stomach Cramps and Tactical Challenges
The Decathlon CMA CGM team’s support was clearly instrumental, but Seixas’ individual talent shone through. The 2024 junior world championship time trial winner has quickly established himself as a force in the professional peloton, winning a stage at the Volta ao Algarve in mid-February, defeating established Tour de France contenders Juan Ayuso, João Almeida, and Oscar Onley. He followed that victory with a dominant win at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of the competition after a 42km solo breakaway.
Saturday’s race presented a latest challenge: going head-to-head with Pogačar. The world champion launched his decisive attack 80km from the finish, and Seixas was the only rider able to initially bridge the gap. However, he later found himself delayed by what he described as tactical maneuvering by del Toro.
“My legs felt good. I had some minor stomach issues. I had a bit of stomach cramps all day,” Seixas revealed. “I don’t really know why, but it didn’t bother me. I was so focused on my race that, well, it just went out the window. I tried to preserve up at the beginning, he [Pogačar] attacked just before the descent. After that, they played as a team. Del Toro blocked me. He really didn’t want me to pass. I’d overtake him and he’d overtake me again. He was holding me up in front.”
Pogačar’s Pacing and a Glimmer of Future Success
Pogačar’s attack initially distanced himself and Tom Pidcock, but a mechanical issue forced Pidcock to fall back, allowing Pogačar to extend his lead. Seixas’ ability to initially respond to Pogačar’s move underscored his strength, but he couldn’t sustain the pace.
“I gave it my all to try and keep up with him. I knew I had a lot to lose because if I’d pushed myself too hard at that point, 80 kilometers from the finish, it was going to be tough later on,” Seixas explained. “I consider he was pacing himself better than me because I was going all out, and he kept looking back and seeing me coming back, so he’d accelerate again. I think he was definitely pacing himself better than me.”
Despite falling short of the win, Seixas remained optimistic. “Anyway, I’m 500 meters short [a slightly underestimation of the gap at the complete – ed.]. It’s all the strong stuff I did in the wind. He was also in the wind, so that’s how it is. He was just stronger, you know. And he’s still the best rider in the world. So, no regrets.”
The narrow margin of defeat provides significant encouragement for the future. Pogačar is eight years Seixas’ senior, leaving the young Frenchman with ample time to develop and potentially challenge for dominance in the sport. “It’s already one minute too many, let’s say,” Seixas said, demonstrating his ambition. “That’s the minute that made him win, and especially since he attacked 80km from the finish. So, well, at a certain point, it’s just phenomenal. And one minute, well, it’s not far off. It’s true, it’s definitely not very far, but it’s still a minute.”
Loyalty and a Promising Trajectory
Seixas’ performance at Strade Bianche builds on a strong start to the season and reinforces his decision to remain with Decathlon CMA CGM, despite receiving offers from several other WorldTour teams in , including UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Soudal Quick-Step, Lidl-Trek, EF Education EasyPost, and Groupama-FDJ. He chose to stay with the team that had supported him during his junior career, prioritizing a familiar environment over a larger paycheck.
“I realized that staying with a familiar team and environment was better than getting a bigger pay cheque elsewhere,” he stated previously. “I had a great experience with them as a junior and they’ve helped develop me to this point. I want to continue this upward journey.”
That journey continues with Itzulia Basque Country and the Ardennes Classics on the horizon, where another clash with Pogačar is anticipated. Strade Bianche has undoubtedly given Seixas the confidence to believe a major victory is within reach. “It definitely gives you a lot of confidence, especially in a race like this where I didn’t really know the roads,” he said. “I knew I had the technical skills but, well, it was a race I was discovering. To finish second and beat all the other solid riders that were at the start except Pogačar, it really gives me confidence for the future. It shows that the work paid off this winter and that I can play among the best this year.”