Paul Seixas demonstrated superior climbing form on the Mur de Huy during his Flèche Wallonne victory, completing the iconic ascent faster than Tadej Pogacar despite the Slovenian’s status as favorite for the upcoming Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The 19-year-old French rider claimed victory in Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne, showcasing explosive power in the final kilometers to outpace a strong field that included the two-time defending Liège-Bastogne-Liège champion. Official race data confirmed Seixas reached the summit of the Mur de Huy ahead of Pogacar, marking a significant moment in their emerging rivalry.
This performance followed their earlier encounter at Strade Bianche in early March, where Pogacar prevailed on the Tuscan gravel roads. The Huy result added intrigue to their scheduled rematch in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, set for Sunday as part of Pogacar’s fifth day of racing in the 2026 Ardennes classics campaign.
Seixas’ win came after a decisive attack in the closing stages of the Flèche Wallonne, where he distanced his rivals on the steep gradients leading to the Huy summit. His ability to maintain high power output over the Mur’s average 9.3% gradient — peaking at sections over 20% — highlighted his growing reputation as a puncheur capable of winning on terrain favoring explosive finishers.
Pogacar, while not matching Seixas’ time on the wall, remained competitive throughout the race and finished within the lead group. His presence underscored the high level of competition, as he sought to use the Flèche Wallonne as preparation for his Liège-Bastogne-Liège title defense.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad announced its Liège-Bastogne-Liège lineup on Thursday, confirming key support riders for Pogacar’s attempt at a fourth victory on the Belgian Monument. Benoît Cosnefroy, fresh from a fourth-place finish on the Flèche Wallonne, was named alongside Pavel Sivakov as trusted French lieutenants in the team’s strategy.
Additional reinforcements include Slovenian domestique Domen Novak and Norwegian veteran Vegard Stake Laengen, both long-time allies of Pogacar in stage races and classics. To bolster flat-road protection and late-race tempo, UAE Team Emirates-XRG also selected Belgian riders Rune Herregodts and Tim Wellens, the latter returning from a recent clavicle fracture.
Wellens’ inclusion signals his ongoing recovery bid, with the team hoping his experience in cobbled and hilly classics will aid in controlling race dynamics before Pogacar’s final moves. Cosnefroy’s recent form — including podiums at Flèche Brabançonne and Amstel Gold Race — positions him as a critical asset in navigating the unpredictable Ardennes terrain.
The Liège-Bastogne-Liège route, spanning approximately 260 kilometers with cumulative elevation exceeding 4,000 meters, features multiple categorized climbs in its final 50 kilometers, including the Côte de la Redoute and Côte de Saint-Nicolas before the run-in to Ans. While the Mur de Huy is exclusive to Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège demands sustained endurance and tactical precision over a longer duration.
Seixas’ Huy performance has elevated expectations for his role in Sunday’s race, where he aims to challenge Pogacar’s dominance in one of cycling’s five Monuments. At 19, he represents a new generation of French talent seeking to break through in races traditionally dominated by established stars.
Pogacar, now 27, enters the Liège-Bastogne-Liège with three previous victories (2021, 2023, 2024) and aims to join an elite group of four-time winners in the race’s 122-year history. His preparation has included targeted efforts in stage races and early-season classics, with the Flèche Wallonne serving as a final intensity check before the Monument test.
The contrasting race profiles — Flèche Wallonne’s explosive, short-wall finish versus Liège-Bastogne-Liège’s attritional, long-circuit design — mean the Huy result does not guarantee outcome in Liège. However, Seixas’ demonstrated ability to outclimb Pogacar on elite terrain adds a psychological dimension to their impending duel.
As the Ardennes week concludes, attention turns to how these individual performances translate into team strategy and race dynamics. Pogacar’s reliance on experienced lieutenants like Cosnefroy and Sivakov reflects a calculated approach to neutralizing threats, while Seixas’ rise underscores the shifting balance in Belgian spring classics.
With Liège-Bastogne-Liège set to initiate Sunday morning in Liège, Belgium, fans worldwide will watch whether Seixas can convert his Huy advantage into a Monument breakthrough — or if Pogacar’s depth and experience will prevail once again in the sport’s most demanding one-day race.
Stay tuned to Archysport for post-race analysis and reactions from the Liège-Bastogne-Liège finish line.
