Spur of Moment Decision Sees Unexpected Last Race for Il Lombardia Winner Seixas

Paul Seixas has had a stunning second year as a pro rider and while his road season is at an end following his stomping win in Il Lombardia, he’s got one more fixture in mind.

The upcoming superstar of the sport travelled four hours from Lombardy to Frejus Saturday afternoon and will line out in the Roc d’Azur MTB race there on Sunday.

It will be, he suggests, a fun event for him. But, considering the form he is in, don’t be surprised if he puts in another big performance.

“It was on a whim yesterday afternoon on my way home from the team presentation that I said to myself, “well, come on, I motivate myself to do it,” he told French media, including l’Equipe, on Saturday afternoon.

“With Bruno Armirail, we’re going to laugh a little…”

The Roc d’Azur is a massive annual MTB festival held in the south of France. It comprises a trade show plus a range of races, with approximately 20,000 participants taking part and over 300 exhibitors.

Race organisers report nearly 100,000 visitors over five days each year.

While there will be many international participants, Seixas is likely to get a hero’s welcome from the home crowds, particularly after having such a huge season.

He has a big history in off road racing, doing numerous cyclocross races between 2022 and 2024.

‘Sometimes I feel like I’m in a dream’

Starting the year at just 19 years of age, he had never won a pro race prior to this season. He quickly got up to speed, though, taking the first of what would be eight victories when he grabbed stage 2 of the Volta ao Algarve.

Victory in the Faun-Ardèche Classic followed soon afterwards, then three stages plus the overall in Itzulia Basque Country, first in Flèche Wallonne and then his Lombardia win.

However his performances in other races are arguably just as impressive. He finished second to Tadej Pogačar in Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, being the only rider able to hold him in the latter when the Slovenian went all out on La Redoute.

He was also fourth overall in his first Tour despite being the youngest starter in 89 years.

His win in Il Lombardia was also notable in that regard, marking him out as the youngest champion ever.

“If you had told me at the beginning of the year that I would do this, I would have been surprised at everything,” he told l’Equipe.

“This season was incredible. I dream. Last year, as a neo-pro, was already incredible. It’s crazy to think about what I’ve achieved in two years. If you had told me two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it.

“I’m surprised every time but I also train very hard for it. The team put me in the best possible environment to make it happen. It’s cycling, a team where everyone gives their best around you, for you. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a dream. That’s what I love the most, enjoying the chance to be here.”

Such is his talent that he was chased by multiple pro teams, with astronomical offers apparently being made. He ultimately decided to stay at least one more season with his Decathlon CMA CGM squad, seeing out his contract, but if he continues to progress there will be even bigger sums promised after that.

Better than Tadej?

Seixas’ Lombardia win is something not even Pogačar achieved at such a young age. He took his first Monument at the same race in 2021, outsprinting the Italian Fausto Masnada, but he was 21 years of age.

Seixas is one year younger reaching the same milestone.

He was asked if beating Pogačar was a major career goal.

“Yes, you can say that I want to be the best,” he replied. “And like I said, Pogačar is the best. It is a motivation to see him at his best, I hope that he will progress again in the coming years because, from my point of view, it is good for cycling, it advances everyone.”

Seeing him wish the world number one gets even stronger seems peculiar, given that Seixas wants to win himself, but he sees an upside to an improving Pogačar.

“He is so strong that everyone has to work harder to be better,” he said. “It’s a dream for me to really be able to play the game with him. He’s the best rider in the world, I have this ambition, like many riders. I really work for that.

“Maybe I’ll make it one day, maybe never, but I’ll always try because if you don’t try, you can’t.”