“I didn’t expect to be in this kind of shape” - Teenage sensation Paul Seixas surprises himself with crushing Itzulia TT win to put Del Toro, Roglic & Ayuso on the back foot

Paul Seixas has set the tone for Itzulia Basque Country 2026 on the opening day, turning a short, demanding time trial in Bilbao into a statement performance that immediately reshaped the general classification.

The 19-year-old did not arrive quietly. Already one of the most closely watched riders of the 2026 season, his early results had marked him out as a contender. In Bilbao, he turned that into something far more concrete, putting 28 seconds into Primoz Roglic, 51 seconds into Isaac del Toro and 1 minute 16 seconds into Juan Ayuso on a 13.8-kilometre course where gaps are usually measured in seconds rather than tens of them.

“It’s incredible. On this time trial, I was aiming for the win to get off to a good start in the race,” Seixas said after the finish to Cycling Pro Net. “To take my first WorldTour victory like this is just crazy, especially with those time gaps. And to have Kévin there in second, he’s a training partner, we rode a time trial together on Tuesday, it’s really nice to see him at that level too. I think it sets up a great week.”

Those gaps came against riders expected to define the week, with established general classification contenders already forced into chasing positions after just 13.8 kilometres.

Despite that immediate cushion, Seixas was clear that the race has only just begun. “I think it’s a great first step, but there are still five very hard stages to come, every single day,” he said. “There aren’t really any sprinters here, which shows how tough the race is. It’s not decided in the time trial. There are very strong riders at the start.”

That awareness reflects both the nature of Itzulia and the level of opposition still to come, with repeated climbing days likely to test durability far more than a single explosive effort.

“I’ll fight with my strengths, but this gives me a lot of confidence. And having the leader’s jersey on my shoulders is obviously a very good position to be in. I hope it continues like this.”

While the performance may have stood out externally, Seixas framed it as the product of preparation rather than a sudden leap, even if the level still exceeded his own expectations. “Today I didn’t expect to be in this kind of shape,” he admitted.

That comes in the context of a season where he has already shown he can compete at the front of major races, but without yet producing a result with this kind of authority against a full field.

“I didn’t do altitude training beforehand, but the preparation has clearly paid off. The team put things in place for me to be in good condition,” he explained. “My assistant, my sister and my coach all came to stay with me for a week to prepare, and in the end, the work always pays off.”

That structured approach, combined with consistent early-season performances, had already marked him out. In Bilbao, it translated into a result that immediately carries weight in the overall standings.

With the leader’s jersey secured, the focus now shifts from a single effort to repeated demands across the week. “It’s very important. It’s a step I need to validate,” Seixas said of the general classification. “This is a very hard stage race, and it will allow me to see how much I’ve progressed in terms of durability and handling repeated efforts day after day.”

That, ultimately, is the question that will define his week. “I want to do a very good overall, and right now I’m in a good position to do that.”