Paul Seixas: Rising Star Nearly Beats Pogačar at Strade Bianche 2026
For once, the hype feels justified. Nineteen-year-old Paul Seixas isn’t just a promising talent; he’s a legitimate contender, finishing a mere minute behind world champion Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche. The performance wasn’t just a strong showing for the young Frenchman, it was a statement.
Seixas didn’t simply hang on to Pogačar’s wheel; he actively challenged him and even dropped Isaac del Toro, widely considered Pogačar’s heir apparent, on the final climb. Del Toro, riding as a teammate to Pogačar, attempted to mark Seixas for kilometers, but the Decathlon CMA CGM rider proved too strong, gaining a nine-second advantage before the finish.
“It’s a great result,” Seixas told media, including Cycling Pro Net, at the finish line. “I didn’t say it in the [pre-race] interview, but we still aimed for the podium today. It’s definitely a very 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.”
While his cyclocross background provided some assistance, Seixas acknowledged it wasn’t enough. “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.”
The Decathlon CMA CGM team’s support was crucial, but Seixas’s individual talent shone through. The 2024 junior world championship time trial winner was quickly integrated into the WorldTour, winning the Tour de l’Avenir last year. He further demonstrated his potential with a third-place finish at the European road race championship, behind Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel, and a seventh-place finish at Il Lombardia.
This season, Seixas has continued his upward trajectory. He secured his first professional victory with a stage win at the Volta ao Algarve in mid-February, besting established Tour de France contenders Juan Ayuso, João Almeida, and Oscar Onley. He followed that success with a dominant win at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of the competition after a 42km solo breakaway.
Facing Pogačar at Strade Bianche represented a significant step up in competition, and Seixas rose to the occasion. Pogačar launched his decisive attack 80km from the finish, and Seixas was the only rider capable of bridging the gap. However, he eventually cracked under the pressure and was caught 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 keep 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.”
Despite the tactical challenges posed by Del Toro, Seixas remained competitive. “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,” he explained. “I think 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.”
Pogačar’s superior pacing and strength proved decisive. “Anyway, I’m 500 meters short [a slightly underestimation of the gap at the end],” Seixas conceded. “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.”
That small margin of defeat, however, provides significant encouragement for the future. Pogačar is eight years Seixas’s senior, leaving the Frenchman ample time to develop and refine his skills. If he continues on his current trajectory, he has the potential to become a dominant force 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.”
Seixas’s performance at Strade Bianche is a testament to his talent, and dedication. He acknowledged the importance of his team and the support he’s received throughout his career, particularly from Decathlon. He turned down offers from other prominent teams, including UAE Emirates XRG, Soudal Quick-Step, Lidl-Trek, EF Education EasyPost, and Groupama-FDJ, choosing to remain loyal to the organization that nurtured his development.
“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.”
And he is doing just that. With Itzulia Basque Country and the Ardennes Classics on the horizon, including potential rematches with Pogačar, Seixas is poised to continue challenging the sport’s elite. Strade Bianche has undoubtedly bolstered his confidence and demonstrated that a major victory is within his 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.”