“Definitely better than yesterday” – Paul Seixas grows into debut Tour de France with best showing yet on stage 3
CyclingMonday, 06 July 2026 at 20:00
Paul Seixas responded to his stage 2 frustration with the best result of his debut Tour de France so far. The 19-year-old finished fourth at Les Angles on stage 3, crossing the line just behind Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz after the first Pyrenean test of the race.
Seixas had been hampered by mechanical problems the previous day, but there was no repeat as the Decathlon CMA CGM Team rider stayed with the front of the GC group deep into the uphill finale. He missed the podium by one place, yet his reaction was far more satisfied than frustrated. “Definitely better than yesterday, I had no problem today,” Seixas said after the finish.
Seixas answers back after mechanical trouble
Stage 3 was controlled late by UAE Team Emirates – XRG, who brought the breakaway back before Isaac del Toro led Pogacar into position for the final kick. Pogacar accelerated clear to take the stage win and yellow jersey, Vingegaard followed for second, Carapaz came through for third, and Seixas was next across the line.
For Seixas, the finish confirmed that the legs were there after a disrupted stage 2. He was close enough to the podium to be part of the final battle, but still measured about the gap to the very best once the decisive move came.
“On the climb I was feeling pretty good,” said the Decathlon CMA CGM rider. “I was just missing a little bit to hang on to the best riders. Fourth is already good.”
Les Angles still gave him a clear step forward. Seixas was not talking up a missed chance, but he had placed himself immediately behind three of the strongest names in the race on a finish shaped by the GC battle.
Seixas finished 4th on Stage 3, 2 seconds down on Tadej Pogacar
Fourth place keeps debut Tour moving
Seixas also remains firmly placed in the young rider picture after three stages, sitting behind Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso in the white jersey standings. His first clean uphill test of the Tour ended with him right at the front of the next wave behind Pogacar and Vingegaard. “I’m happy, it’s a good effort to start the Tour,” he added. “I feel good, I’m happy with the day.”
The result leaves Seixas sixth overall, 48 seconds behind Pogacar, after the first real shake-up of the general classification. With Del Toro fourth, Ayuso fifth and Seixas just behind them, the young rider battle has already reached the top end of the GC.
Pogacar left Les Angles in yellow, Vingegaard stayed level with him on time, and Evenepoel remained third overall. Just behind that trio, Seixas produced the clearest result yet of his opening Tour.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Interesting interpretation... so it goes
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Andrew06-07-2026 - No, they should not be allowed in sport at all but agree that budget and salary caps are also needed in cycling.Andrew06-07-2026
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- Dear Kieran, There is an error in article on General Classification Standings after Stage 3 Table (Cian Uijtdebroeks vs Voisard) its MOVISTAR then TUDOR. But the next table is rigth!! Just to prove i am reading all of your articles till de very end..... :)Alexcavalera06-07-2026
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- This was another stage that Del Toro could have competed for the win, if he didn't have the lead out responsibilities for Pogacar. I think this is what's going to make him seriously consider leaving for another team where he's the top dog. He's got a legacy to create for himself. His prime time is right now and it's passing under the shadow of Pogacar unless he goes out on his own.
PogiFan2Day06-07-2026
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