The Race That Wasn’t Supposed to Be Close

For the first 220 kilometers, Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2026 played out like a tactical chess match. A breakaway group, including Belgian star Remco Evenepoel, built a four-minute advantage, forcing the peloton to chase under gray Belgian skies. The script seemed written: Pogačar would reel them in, launch his trademark late attack, and solo to victory as he had in 2021, 2024, and 2025.

Then Paul Seixas happened.

The 19-year-old French phenom—riding in just his second professional season—didn’t just follow Pogačar’s acceleration on the Côte de la Redoute with 35 kilometers remaining. He matched it. For the next 20 kilometers, the two traded blows across the Ardennes’ punishing climbs, with Seixas refusing to yield even as the world champion ratcheted up the pace. It was the first time in three years that Pogačar had been forced to work for a Monument victory.

“I knew I had to go full gas,” Pogačar told reporters after the race, his UAE Team Emirates-XRG jersey still damp with rain and effort. “Seixas is strong. He’s the future of this sport.”

The decisive moment came on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. With 14 kilometers left, Pogačar surged again. This time, Seixas couldn’t follow. The gap grew to 10 seconds, then 20, then 30. By the time Pogačar raised his arms in Liège’s Place Saint-Lambert, he’d opened a 47-second lead on Seixas, with Evenepoel settling for third, 1:12 back after a late sprint.

By the Numbers: Pogačar’s Monument Dominance

Sunday’s win wasn’t just another notch on Pogačar’s palmarès. It was a statement. Here’s what the numbers say about his place in cycling history:

• 12 Monument victories: Pogačar now has more than any active rider, trailing only Merckx (19), Roger De Vlaeminck (11), and Rik Van Looy (11).
• 4 Liège-Bastogne-Liège wins: One shy of Merckx’s record five. He’s the first rider to win three consecutive editions since Merckx (1969–1971).
• 3 Monument wins in 2026 alone: After claiming Milan-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders earlier this year, Pogačar is on pace to challenge Merckx’s 1972 record of four Monuments in a single season.
• Paris-Roubaix remains the missing piece: Pogačar has finished second in the Hell of the North twice (2025 and 2026) but has yet to win cycling’s most iconic cobbled classic.

“Only three riders in history have won all five Monuments,” said UCI President David Lappartient in a post-race statement. “Pogačar is the closest anyone has been in 50 years. The question isn’t if he’ll do it—it’s when.”

What This Win Means for Pogačar’s Legacy—and His Wallet

Pogačar’s dominance isn’t just rewriting record books. It’s reshaping the economics of professional cycling. Here’s how:

1. Sponsorship Value

UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s primary sponsor, the United Arab Emirates government, has reportedly increased Pogačar’s annual salary to €12 million—making him the highest-paid cyclist in history. The team’s valuation has surged 40% since 2023, per industry analysts, with Sunday’s win expected to generate €8–10 million in additional sponsorship revenue for the 2026 season.

2. The “Pogačar Effect” on Cycling’s Marketability

Global TV viewership for the 2026 Liège-Bastogne-Liège increased 23% year-over-year, with Pogačar’s presence cited as the primary driver. Race organizer ASO has already announced a 15% increase in broadcast rights fees for 2027, attributing the hike to “the Pogačar factor.”

3. The Next Generation’s Salary Inflation

Paul Seixas’ breakthrough performance has already sparked a bidding war. The Frenchman, currently earning €250,000 with Groupama-FDJ, is rumored to be fielding offers in excess of €2 million for 2027. “When a 19-year-old can go toe-to-toe with Pogačar, teams take notice,” said former pro and Eurosport commentator Brian Smith. “The market for young talent is about to explode.”

The Seixas Factor: Cycling’s Next Superstar?

Pogačar’s victory was historic, but the story of Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2026 might ultimately be remembered for the rider who nearly beat him. Paul Seixas, a relative unknown outside France before Sunday, delivered a performance that has the cycling world buzzing.

Key details about the recent French sensation:

• Age: 19 years, 3 months (youngest podium finisher in Liège history)
• Team: Groupama-FDJ (since 2025)
• 2026 Results: 2nd at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 5th at Strade Bianche, 8th at Tour of Flanders
• Riding Style: Explosive climber with a diesel engine on longer efforts—reminiscent of a young Alberto Contador

“I didn’t come here to finish second,” Seixas said after the race, his voice hoarse from effort. “Next time, I’ll be stronger.”

His performance has drawn comparisons to Pogačar’s own breakthrough in 2019, when the Slovenian won the Tour of California at 20. If Seixas can maintain his trajectory, he could develop into the first rider since Merckx to challenge Pogačar’s stranglehold on the Monuments.

What’s Next for Pogačar?

With Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the books, Pogačar’s 2026 campaign now turns to two major objectives:

1. The Giro d’Italia (May 9–31)

Pogačar is making his Giro debut in 2026, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the peloton. The three-week Grand Tour, known for its brutal climbs and unpredictable weather, will test whether his one-day dominance translates to stage racing. “I want to win the Giro and the Tour in the same year,” Pogačar said in January. “It’s never been done before.”

2. Paris-Roubaix (April 12, 2027)

The only Monument missing from Pogačar’s résumé. His two second-place finishes (2025, 2026) suggest he’s closing in on the win that would cement his status as the greatest all-around cyclist of his generation. “I’ll keep coming back until I win it,” he said after this year’s edition. “That’s the only way.”

For now, though, Pogačar can savor a victory that wasn’t just about crossing the line first. It was about sending a message: in a sport where legends are measured by Monuments, he’s rewriting the definition of dominance.