Paul Seixas Shines as Runner-Up to Pogacar in Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2026
Liège-Bastogne-Liège delivered one of the most thrilling editions in recent memory on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as Tadej Pogacar claimed his fourth victory in the Ardennes classic. But it was the breathtaking performance of 19-year-old French rider Paul Seixas that captured the imagination of cycling fans worldwide, proving why many now see him as the champion France has been waiting for.
From the opening kilometers, the race unfolded with unprecedented intensity. Pogacar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, demonstrated why he remains the dominant force in spring classics, yet it was Seixas who provided the most compelling narrative. The young Decathlon-CMA CGM prodigy became the last rider able to match Pogacar’s pace in the brutal Ardennes hills, holding the Slovenian’s wheel far longer than anyone expected.
The turning point came in the famed Côte de la Redoute, approximately 35 kilometers from the finish. There, Pogacar and Seixas broke clear of the peloton, establishing a gap that left the rest of the field struggling to keep pace. For several kilometers, the two rode as one unit, trading pulls and setting a blistering tempo that underscored their superiority on the day.
According to verified race reports, the duo’s ascent of the Redoute set a new benchmark for speed on the climb, a testament to the extraordinary power they were generating. The peloton, exhausted from hours of racing at an unsustainable pace, appeared “years behind” their level, as one observer noted.
But the decisive moment arrived on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, just 13 kilometers from the finish in Ans. Pogacar launched a devastating acceleration that Seixas, despite his valiant effort, could not match. The Slovenian pulled away solo, eventually crossing the finish line in La Redoute to secure his fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège title.
Seixas finished in second place, 45 seconds behind Pogacar, marking his first-ever podium finish in a cycling Monument. At just 19 years old, the achievement represents a watershed moment for French cycling, which has long awaited a breakthrough performer capable of challenging for sport’s biggest prizes.
The young Frenchman’s ride drew immediate praise from commentators and rivals alike. His ability to sustain such a high level against the sport’s current kingpin signaled not only his readiness for the elite tier but also his potential to one day stand atop the sport’s highest podiums.
Completing the podium was Remco Evenepoel, who outsprinted the reduced peloton to claim third place. Evenepoel had begun the day aggressively, launching an early breakaway that initially gave him an advantage, though it was ultimately neutralized as Pogacar and Seixas asserted their dominance.
Romain Grégoire of Groupama-FDJ United finished seventh, while the race as a whole set a new benchmark for speed. Covered in 5 hours, 50 minutes and 28 seconds, this edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège became the fastest in its storied history, earning the nickname “La Doyenne” a new layer of meaning in the modern era.
The performance also carried symbolic weight for Seixas’ team, Decathlon-CMA CGM, which has invested heavily in developing young talent. Seeing their rider push the sport’s best to his limits on cycling’s most revered course validated their long-term strategy and commitment to nurturing the next generation.
For Pogacar, the win continued a spring of historic proportions. Having already conquered multiple prestigious races in the span of just five days, the Slovenian further cemented his status as one of the greatest classics riders of all time. His fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory places him in rarefied company among the sport’s legends.
Looking ahead, Seixas’ result in Liège-Bastogne-Liège will undoubtedly accelerate expectations for his career trajectory. The performance serves as a clear indicator that he is ready to compete for victories in the sport’s most demanding races, with many anticipating his first Monument win could arrive sooner rather than later.
As the cycling world reflects on another extraordinary Ardennes weekend, one truth stands clear: the future of the sport is in exceptionally capable hands. And for French fans, the wait for a homegrown champion capable of winning cycling’s biggest prizes may finally be nearing its end.
The next major checkpoint for both riders will be the upcoming Grand Tours, where Seixas will gaze to build on this Monument breakthrough while Pogacar aims to add further accolades to his already legendary palmares.
What did you reckon of Paul Seixas’ stunning ride in Liège-Bastogne-Liège? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as we continue to follow the rising star of French cycling.
