Belgium – At just 19 years vintage, Paul Seixas made history on Wednesday by becoming the youngest-ever winner of La Flèche Wallonne, delivering a commanding solo victory on the Mur de Huy in a performance that announced his arrival as one of cycling’s brightest prospects.
The French rider, competing for Decathlon-CMA CGM, powered to victory in 4 hours, 35 minutes and 28 seconds, finishing three seconds ahead of Swiss champion Mauro Schmid (Jayco-AlUla) and British rider Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike). His winning margin came after a decisive attack with 200 meters remaining on the brutal final ascent, where he dropped his rivals with apparent ease.
Seixas’ triumph marks a significant milestone in the 90-year history of the Ardennes Classic. No rider in the race’s long history has won at a younger age, surpassing previous benchmarks set by legends of the sport. His victory also makes him the first French rider to win La Flèche Wallonne since Warren Barguil in 2017.
The win was Seixas’ seventh of the 2026 season, placing him at the forefront of the professional cycling calendar in terms of victories. It came just days after his dominant performance at the Itzulia Basque Country, where he won three stages and the overall title, further cementing his status as the sport’s most exciting emerging talent.
Despite entering the race as a favorite following his strong spring form, Seixas faced adversity early on. Reports indicate he was involved in a crash during the mid-race proceedings but managed to recover and rejoin the peloton before launching his decisive move on the Mur de Huy. His ability to overcome the setback and still deliver a solo victory underscored his resilience and tactical maturity beyond his years.
On the Mur de Huy – a 1.4-kilometer climb averaging 9.1% gradient with sections reaching 20% – Seixas took control from the outset. He raced alongside Tulett in the early stages of the ascent before accelerating sharply with 200 meters to go. The move proved decisive, as neither Schmid nor Tulett could match his acceleration on the steepest ramps.
Schmid managed to pass Tulett in the final meters to claim second place, while Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) finished fourth after following Seixas and Tulett up the climb. Spanish rider Ion Izagirre (Cofidis) placed seventh, continuing his strong tradition in Ardennes classics.
After crossing the line, Seixas expressed disbelief and gratitude, crediting his teammates for their efforts throughout the race. “I want to thank all my teammates. They gave it their all, 200%, and rode the whole time. Sometimes I had to fend for myself a bit, but they gave it their all,” he said in his post-race remarks.
Reflecting on the significance of the win, Seixas noted how far he had come in a year. “Last year, I was still watching the TV broadcast of this race. Now I am here, and I’ve won it,” he said, highlighting the rapid ascent of his career from spectator to champion in just 12 months.
The victory has generated considerable attention in France, where Seixas is viewed not only as a rising star but as a potential future leader of French cycling. His success has drawn comparisons to past icons, though at 19 years and with only 16 months as a professional, his achievements remain unprecedented in modern cycling history.
Looking ahead, Seixas is set to face his next major test at Liège–Bastogne–Liège on Sunday, where he will compete against Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock. The race will serve as a crucial benchmark for his form and readiness to challenge the sport’s established elite in the Ardennes.
For now, however, the focus remains on a historic achievement. Paul Seixas has not only won La Flèche Wallonne – he has redefined what is possible for a rider of his age, setting a new standard for youth, talent and ambition in professional cycling.
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