French cyclist Paul Seixas won the Giro di Lombardia on October 10, 2026, becoming the youngest rider in history to claim the final Monument of the season at just 20 years and 16 days old.
Paul Seixas Claims Historic Victory at Como
Riding for Decathlon, the 20-year-old Seixas secured the victory after a gruelling 239-kilometer route starting in Bergamo and finishing in Como. Crossing the line with his hands on his head in disbelief, Seixas triumphed in the autumn classic known as the “race of the falling leaves,” a venerable event established in 1905.
Behind the young Frenchman, Enric Mas finished second at 48 seconds back, continuing a strong run of form following his success at the Vuelta a España. Italian rider Giulio Ciccone took third place, finishing 1 minute and 5 seconds behind the winner.
The Chase and Final Ascents
Remco Evenepoel led a small group of contenders across the finish line 1 minute and 20 seconds down, a group that included Brandon McNulty, Tom Pidcock, and Pello Bilbao, who delivered a standout performance in his final professional race before retirement. The race was shaped by a demanding route featuring half a dozen challenging climbs, including the initial ascent of San Fermo della Battaglia.
The decisive selection occurred on the brutally steep slopes of the Civiglio climb, situated 18 kilometers from the finish.
Shadow of the Champion and What Lies Ahead
Tadej Pogačar’s absence loomed over the 2026 edition of the race. Pogačar had won the previous five editions of the event, a streak unmatched in the history of the fifth Monument. While Pogačar’s historical dominance frames modern tactics in the race, Seixas delivered a performance reminiscent of the Slovenian star’s trademark aggression.
The European cycling calendar moves next to the off-season team training camps and subsequent roster presentations ahead of the 2027 WorldTour campaign, with official UCI calendar updates expected in the coming weeks.
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