Liège-Bastogne-Liège: Tadej Pogačar drops worthy challenger Paul Seixas with searing attack on Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons to claim fourth La Doyenne victory

Tadej Pogačar secured a commanding solo victory at the 2026 edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, marking his fourth triumph in the prestigious race. The UAE Team Emirates rider launched a decisive attack on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons with just under 14 kilometres remaining, distancing himself from a determined Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM. Seixas, aged just 19, had shown remarkable resilience throughout the race and was the only rider able to keep pace with Pogačar during a previous surge on the Côte de la Redoute, but ultimately could not match the World Champion’s final acceleration. The race unfolded with an early breakaway of 54 riders, including notable names such as Remco Evenepoel and Egan Bernal, which gained a substantial lead of up to nearly four minutes. This forced Pogačar’s UAE team and Seixas’ Decathlon squad to share the workload in the peloton to reel back the escapees. After a prolonged and intense chase, the break was caught before the critical climbs, allowing the favourites to contest the finale under controlled conditions. Evenepoel, despite his early aggression, faded after his efforts in the breakaway and finished third after winning the sprint for the final podium spot. Pogačar’s victory places him alongside Alejandro Valverde and Moreno Argentin with four wins each at La Doyenne, just one behind the record held by Eddy Merckx. Reflecting on the race, Pogačar praised Seixas’s strength and tenacity, acknowledging the young rider’s impressive performance and admitting he had prepared for a potential sprint finish. The Slovenian champion also highlighted the significance of the win given his selective racing schedule and the pressure to perform on such occasions, expressing pride in his team’s support. The result further cements Pogačar’s dominance in the Spring Classics this season, having claimed three Monument victories from five attempts in 2026. Meanwhile, Seixas’s strong showing signals the emergence of a new talent capable of challenging the established elite in major races. With Pogačar’s continued success and the rise of promising young riders like Seixas, the dynamic of the classics could see exciting developments in the coming years.