‘I Surprised Myself’: Paul Seixas on Cloud Nine After Historic Fleche Wallonne Victory
By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief
April 23, 2026
French cycling sensation Paul Seixas expressed genuine astonishment at his own performance following a landmark victory at La Fleche Wallonne, declaring “I surprised myself” after becoming the youngest-ever winner of the 90-year-old Ardennes Classic at just 19 years and 210 days traditional.
The Decathlon-CMA CGM rider delivered on his promise with a commanding solo attack on the brutal Mur de Huy, distancing himself from rivals in the final 200 meters of the iconic climb to secure the win in Belgium on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Seixas’ triumph came despite visible signs of struggle, as he arrived at the post-race press conference with blood-stained bandages covering his elbow and thigh, which he later explained were reopened old wounds from friction within the peloton, not new injuries from a crash.
“I have not fallen, to be honest,” Seixas clarified, addressing concerns about his bloodied appearance. “These were old wounds. It’s just that it rubbed a lot in the peloton, I had a small incident and it reopened. But it’s nothing at all.”
The victory marks Seixas’ seventh win of the 2026 season, adding to his impressive spring campaign that included victories at the Volta ao Algarve, the Faun Ardeche-Classic, and both stage wins and the overall classification at Itzulia Basque Country.
His performance on the Mur de Huy was particularly noteworthy, as Seixas led the ascent from the extremely beginning before making his decisive move in the final stages of the climb, which features sections with gradients reaching 15%.
Swiss rider Mauro Schmid (Jayco-AlUla) finished second, three seconds behind Seixas, while Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) took fourth place after following the young Frenchman up the climb.
Reflecting on the magnitude of his achievement, Seixas shared a poignant comparison: “Last year, I was still watching the TV broadcast of this race. Now I am here, and I’ve won it.” This statement underscored the rapid ascent of his career, which has seen him emerge as one of cycling’s most promising young talents.
The Fleche Wallonne victory represents a significant milestone in Seixas’ development, coming just days after his dominant performance in the week-long Itzulia Basque Country race, where he established himself as the pre-race favorite for the Ardennes Classic.
Team directors and cycling analysts have noted that Seixas’ ability to maintain his position at the front of the peloton throughout the challenging ascent, combined with his perfectly timed explosive finish, demonstrated both tactical maturity and exceptional physical capabilities beyond his years.
As the cycling world turns its attention to the upcoming Ardennes triple, with Liege-Bastogne-Liege scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026, Seixas’ historic Fleche Wallonne win has firmly established him as a contender to watch in the remaining classics.
For continued coverage of Paul Seixas’ rising career and the latest developments in professional cycling, stay tuned to Archysport.com.
