Paul Seixas Makes History as Youngest Ever Itzulia Basque Country Winner

The cycling world has a new prodigy. In a display of raw power and tactical aggression that feels like a throwback to a different era of the sport, 19-year-old Paul Seixas has captured the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country, becoming the youngest rider ever to win the prestigious race.

Representing Decathlon CMA CGN, Seixas didn’t just win the general classification. he dominated it from the opening kilometers. In a week defined by rain-soaked roads and brutal climbs, the French teenager outclassed a field of seasoned veterans, including Primož Roglič and Florian Lipowitz, to secure a historic victory.

A Statement of Intent: The Opening Time Trial

The dominance began on Monday with Stage 1, a 13.8 km individual time trial that served as a wake-up call for the rest of the peloton. Seixas delivered a clinical performance, finishing 23 seconds ahead of fellow Frenchman Kévin Vauquelin of INEOS Grenadiers. While a 23-second margin might seem modest in a longer race, in a short ITT, it signaled a level of superiority that few expected from a teenager.

The gaps behind him were telling. Felix Grossschatner of UAE Team Emirates–XRG finished 27 seconds adrift. Primož Roglič, riding for Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, managed fourth place, while Florian Lipowitz took sixth. Further down the order, Isaac del Toro finished 13th, 51 seconds back, and Juan Ayuso struggled in an inexplicable 38th place, trailing Seixas by 1:16.

The Raid on San Miguel de Aralar

If Stage 1 was a statement, Stage 2 was a demolition. On the most mountainous day of the week, Seixas executed a daring plan to break the race open. With 26 km remaining, on the final of four categorized climbs—the category 1 San Miguel de Aralar (9.4 km @ 7.9%)—Seixas launched a devastating attack.

He quickly neutralized the remnants of the day’s breakaway and soloed the rest of the way to the finish line. The margin of victory was staggering: he finished 1:25 ahead of a chase group that included Roglič and Lipowitz. Isaac del Toro was caught out by the move, finishing 1:43 behind, while Juan Ayuso faded further, crossing the line 2:29 adrift.

Reflecting on the move, Seixas admitted the attack was calculated. “Before the stage started, I had marked this one as a key target,” Seixas said. “It was the hardest of the week, and we had planned to attack the day after the time trial. The goal was to open up gaps and then manage the race over the long term. I didn’t hesitate to attack. The worst thing is being afraid to go for it. Racing like that is what I love, it’s why I ride.”

Maintaining the Grip

Following the second stage, Seixas held a commanding lead of 1:59 over Primož Roglič and more than two minutes over Lipowitz, Mattias Skjelmose, and Juan Ayuso. However, the road to victory was not without attrition. Juan Ayuso, who trailed by 3:55 after Stage 3, eventually abandoned the race during Stage 4, citing stomach problems and the lingering effects of a crash at Paris-Nice.

Seixas continued to assert his dominance into the later stages. On Stage 5, he tightened his grip on the overall lead by securing a third stage win. In a brutal showdown around Eibar, Seixas entered a two-man sprint against Florian Lipowitz, overpowering the Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe rider to grab the day.

Rain, Retirement, and the Final Circuit

The final stage of the Itzulia Basque Country provided a dramatic backdrop for the coronation. Starting in Goizper-Antuzola and finishing in Bergara, the stage featured a short circuit comprising two laps and six climbs. The day was marked by rain-soaked conditions and a poignant announcement: Pello Bilbao revealed at the sign-on desk that he will retire from professional cycling at the end of the season.

The racing remained aggressive. An early breakaway of three riders—Marc Soler (UAD), Mattias Skjelmose (LTK), and Ben Healy (EFE)—managed to build a lead of 4 minutes over the main group and 1 minute 30 seconds over a chasing group of 32 riders. This chase group included five riders from Uno-X Mobility, who were working tirelessly to secure a podium spot for Tobias Halland Johannessen.

As the lead of the breakaway shrank, the favorites began to move. On the second ascent to Gorla, Romo attacked from the peloton, prompting responses from the other contenders. Florian Lipowitz remained active, putting the yellow jersey under pressure, while Izagirre followed the Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe rider’s early moves.

Despite the pressure, Seixas remained composed. He resisted every attack and, with 57 kilometers to go, launched a powerful solo move that left the field behind once again. While Seixas secured the overall title, the final stage win went to AJ August, who escaped from a large breakaway.

The Final Podium

The 2026 Itzulia Basque Country concluded with a podium that reflected the changing of the guard in professional cycling. Paul Seixas’ victory marks a historic milestone for the 19-year-old, who combined the precision of a time trialist with the audacity of a classic climber.

For the cycling community, Seixas’ performance is more than just a win; it is a reminder of the impact of aggressive, instinctive racing. By attacking early and soloing long distances, he bypassed the cautious, calculated approach that has dominated recent years, capturing the imagination of fans and rivals alike.

The cycling world now looks toward the next major checkpoints on the calendar to see if Seixas can translate this week’s dominance into long-term success on the world stage.

Do you think Paul Seixas is the next great Grand Tour contender? Share your thoughts in the comments below.