'An insane victory' - Paul Seixas secures dominant landmark triumph for French cycling in Itzulia Basque Country

Paul Seixas has delivered a landmark performance at the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country, securing a dominant overall victory along with three stage wins. The 19-year-old French rider from Decathlon CMA CGM asserted his authority early on by winning both a time trial and a high mountain stage in the opening days, maintaining his lead throughout the race. Despite challenging conditions and fierce competition, Seixas demonstrated remarkable resilience, particularly on the penultimate and final stages, where he overcame a mass attack and soloed for nearly an hour in harsh weather to preserve his advantage. Seixas’ triumph marks a significant moment for French cycling, as it is the country’s first WorldTour stage race win since 2007. His comprehensive victory included not only the general classification but also the points, mountains, and best young rider jerseys. This achievement is all the more impressive given the absence of other top young contenders such as Juan Ayuso and Isaac del Toro, who both withdrew due to illness or injury, underscoring Seixas’ clear dominance throughout the event. Reflecting on his performance, Seixas described the victory as “insane,” highlighting the variety of conditions he faced and his ability to remain consistent. He recounted his tactical decision to attack on the final stage to counter a dangerous breakaway, explaining how he managed his energy during a prolonged solo effort to maintain control of the race. His composure and strategic acumen under pressure were pivotal in securing the win, demonstrating maturity beyond his years. Looking ahead, Seixas remains focused on upcoming races such as Fleche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he will face some of the sport’s biggest names, including Tadej Pogačar. While he has not ruled out a future bid for the Tour de France, he is taking his success one step at a time. With his rapid rise and already impressive palmarès, Seixas is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in cycling, with a promising future on the WorldTour.