Tadej Pogačar defeats Paul Seixas to win fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège title

Tadej Pogačar claimed his fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory on Sunday, April 26, 2026, defeating a valiant challenge from 19-year-old French sensation Paul Seixas in one of the most thrilling editions of La Doyenne in recent memory. The Slovenian world champion secured his third consecutive win in the Ardennes classic, further cementing his status as one of the greatest one-day riders in cycling history.

The race unfolded exactly as many had anticipated, with Pogačar and Seixas emerging as the two strongest riders in the final kilometers. What began as a tightly controlled performance by UAE Team Emirates-XRG evolved into a fascinating duel in the final 35 kilometers, as the young Frenchman matched Pogačar’s initial attack on the Côte de la Redoute – the first time since 2021 that the Slovenian had faced such direct competition in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège finale.

Seixas, riding with remarkable composure for a teenager in his first Monument appearance, stayed with Pogačar deeper into the finale than any other rider could manage. His performance signaled the arrival of a genuine superstar, as he pushed the world champion to his absolute limit on the brutal Ardennes walls. But, it was on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons where Pogačar finally found the decisive move that shook off his young rival.

With Seixas unable to respond to Pogačar’s searing attack, the Slovenian soloed to victory on the Ans finish line, securing his fourth Liège-Bastogne-Liège title. This win places him alongside Belgian legend Moreno Argentin and Spanish icon Alejandro Valverde in the race’s all-time winners list. More significantly, it marks Pogačar’s third Monument victory of the 2026 season, following his earlier successes in Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders.

Behind the dueling pair, Remco Evenepoel demonstrated his usual class by leading out and winning the sprint for third place from the main chase group. The Belgian world time trial champion finished at 1:42 behind Pogačar, having been part of the huge early attacking group that shaped the race’s dynamics before settling into the chasing peloton for the finale.

Seixas’ second-place finish represents a hugely impressive result for the French teenager, whose performance throughout the Ardennes week had already marked him as one of the most exciting prospects in world cycling. His ability to match Pogačar move-for-move on the Redoute and stay with him into the final kilometers suggests a bright future lies ahead, potentially setting up a fascinating rivalry for years to come.

The 2026 Liège-Bastogne-Liège route, covering approximately 260 kilometers through the Ardennes hills of Belgium, once again delivered the drama and unpredictability that have made it one of cycling’s most beloved classics. From the early attacks that fragmented the peloton to the final showdown on the Ans roads, the race lived up to its reputation as La Doyenne – the oldest and one of the most demanding of the five Monuments.

For Pogačar, the victory continues a remarkable spring campaign that has seen him dominate the cobbled classics and now add another Ardennes triumph to his palmarès. His ability to win in such varied conditions – from the flat, wind-swept roads of Milan-San Remo to the steep, punishing climbs of Liège-Bastogne-Liège – underscores the completeness of his abilities as a stage racer and one-day specialist.

As the cycling world turns its attention toward the upcoming Grand Tours, Pogačar’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège win serves as a powerful statement of intent. Having already secured three Monument victories in 2026, he arrives at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France with confidence at its peak, knowing he can overcome even the most formidable challenges when it matters most.

For Seixas, despite coming up short, the experience gained from pushing Pogačar to his limits in a Monument finale will be invaluable. His performance has already generated significant excitement among French cycling fans, who see in him the potential successor to a generation of great French puncheurs and Classics specialists.

The podium ceremony in Ans captured the mutual respect between the established champion and the rising star, with Pogačar acknowledging Seixas’ impressive performance in a moment that highlighted both the competitiveness and camaraderie that define professional cycling at its best.

Looking ahead, both riders will now focus on their respective Grand Tour preparations. Pogačar is expected to target a Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double later this summer, while Seixas will likely aim to build on his Liège-Bastogne-Liège performance with strong showings in the Ardennes classics and potentially earn a Tour de France selection for the first time in his career.

For now, however, the focus remains on Sunday’s remarkable race in the Ardennes – a contest that delivered everything cycling fans could hope for from a Monument classic: tactical intrigue, individual brilliance, generational talent on display, and a worthy winner who had to dig deeper than ever to claim victory.

As the 112th edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège fades into cycling history, it will be remembered not just for Pogačar’s fourth triumph, but for the emergence of Paul Seixas as a genuine force to be reckoned with in the years ahead.

For continued coverage of the 2026 cycling season, including updates on the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and upcoming Classics, stay tuned to Archysport.