As it happened: French super talent wins La Flèche Wallonne on the Mur de Huy finish

French prodigy Paul Seixas claimed a commanding victory at the 2026 La Flèche Wallonne, cementing his status as one of cycling’s brightest young talents. At just 19 years old, Seixas became the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Ardennes Classic, showcasing remarkable strength and tactical acumen on the punishing Mur de Huy climb. His decisive move came with 300 metres to go, where he surged ahead of his rivals to cross the finish line solo, leaving a strong impression on the race and the wider cycling community. The race unfolded with intense competition and several notable moments, including crashes that disrupted the peloton and strategic battles for position leading into the final climb. Seixas’s team, Decathlon, played a crucial role in protecting their leader and maintaining control in the closing stages. Meanwhile, other prominent riders such as Mauro Schmid and Ben Tulett fought valiantly to secure podium places, finishing second and third respectively, while established stars like Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel were also in action but could not match Seixas’s explosive finish. In post-race comments, Seixas reflected on his winning strategy, emphasising the importance of pacing himself on the steep gradients and gauging his rivals’ condition before launching his final attack. His confidence and power on the Mur de Huy demonstrated maturity beyond his years, prompting comparisons to legendary figures such as Eddy Merckx and recent superstars like Pogacar and Evenepoel. The victory signals the arrival of a new era in professional cycling, with Seixas poised to be a dominant force in the Classics and beyond. Looking ahead, the cycling world now turns its attention to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where Seixas and other top contenders will once again be tested in one of the sport’s toughest one-day races. His performance at La Flèche Wallonne sets high expectations for the remainder of the spring campaign and suggests that the young Frenchman could be a key protagonist in upcoming events. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Seixas builds on this breakthrough success as the season progresses.