La Flèche Wallonne: Paul Seixas delivers on his promise with commanding victory

Paul Seixas claimed a remarkable victory at La Flèche Wallonne, becoming the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Ardennes Classic at just 19 years old. Riding for Decathlon-CMA CGM, Seixas showcased his climbing prowess on the iconic Mur de Huy, breaking away decisively in the final 200 metres to outpace his rivals. His triumph followed a dominant performance at the Itzulia Basque Country, confirming his status as the pre-race favourite and marking a stunning debut in the Wallonia race. The race unfolded over a challenging 200km route featuring nearly 3,000 metres of climbing, including three ascents each of the Côte d’Ereffe, Côte de Cherave, and the Mur de Huy. Early breakaways formed with six riders gaining a lead, but teams such as Lidl-Trek, Ineos Grenadiers, Decathlon-CMA CGM, and UAE Team Emirates controlled the peloton to keep the gap manageable. The break gradually fragmented as the race progressed, with the peloton reeling in the escapees before the final climbs set the stage for the decisive moves. Seixas’s winning attack came on the steep slopes of the Mur de Huy, where he distanced himself from British rider Ben Tulett, who finished third. Swiss champion Mauro Schmid secured second place, finishing three seconds behind Seixas, while Benoît Cosnefroy took fourth. After the race, Seixas credited his team for their relentless support throughout the day, emphasising that the victory was a collective effort despite moments when he had to rely on his own instincts. The outcome of this edition of La Flèche Wallonne not only highlights Seixas’s emergence as a major talent in the sport but also signals a potential shift in the dynamics of Ardennes Classics racing. His youthful ascendancy adds fresh excitement to the spring campaign, and his performance is likely to attract significant attention in upcoming races. With his confidence boosted by this breakthrough win, Seixas is expected to be a key contender in the remainder of the season’s major events.