"I don’t have the level to beat him" - Paul Seixas does not want to be put side-by-side with Tadej Pogacar at Liège
Cycling
At 19 years of age, the potential and excitement for the development of Paul Seixas is something that has rarely ever been seen in pro cycling. But where can the line be drawn as of April 2026? The Frenchman argues that it might be the comparisons with Tadej Pogacar, specially with the two set to face off this Sunday at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
After the duo finished first and second at Strade Bianche, and Seixas dominated Itzulia Basque Country, he has been put to the front - alongside Remco Evenepoel - as the main contenders to challenge Pogacar's domination at La Doyenne. The final of the Ardennes classics benefits a mix of climber and classics specialist, something that should suit all three riders.
But firstly, Seixas headlines La Flèche Wallonne this Wednesday, where Pogacar and Evenepoel are absent. “I’m here to test my punch. This is something new for me. I’ve seen it so many times, but I’ve actually never ridden it before,” Seixas told Sporza.
But within a strong startlist, he is certainly not the man to beat. "Those short efforts of two or three minutes, it’s different. I still have to discover how I respond to that. I’ve worked on it a bit, but not specifically for this race. I don’t feel any obligation to win. I don’t see myself as the main contender," he admits.
The likes of Romain Grégoire, Mattias Skjelmose, Lenny Martínez and Kévin Vauquelin will all share favouritism and aim for a victory that can change the path of their respective careers, making it a difficult mission for the Frenchman.
Facing Tadej Pogacar at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
The result at the Mur de Huy this afternoon may change the outlook on Liège quite a lot, but it won't change what has been happening over the past few months. This weekend's race is better suited to the climbers, with a lot more distance and total climbing on the menu; as well as UAE and Red Bull - BORA who are both likely to aim for a strategy of creating fatigue from as early as possible so as to benefit their leaders.
Seixas may not thrive in such a scenario of a long race, as well as the expected intense fights for positioning. But even if he would thrive in them, he tackled the comparison to Tadej Pogacar directly: “We’re talking about maybe the best rider ever. Right now, I don’t have the level to beat him," he answered straight.
Whilst that pressure would ordinarily have the potential to be destructive to a rider, the Decathlon CMA CGM Team has been handling it very well, evolving and obtaining more results despite the intense focus on his every move. He knows that it is in the peloton that he has to prove his worth. "I’m working to become the best, but you have to prove that step by step in races," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
- There are only two people who will be competing with Tadej in 2027 and neither are Remco.awp12-11-2026
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