"I wanted to put pressure on them mentally and show them it’s not going to be that easy" - Paul Seixas hits back at Red Bull with late attack to extend Itzulia lead

Paul Seixas turned a day of sustained pressure into another statement ride at Itzulia Basque Country 2026, responding to repeated attacks by Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe duo Florian Lipowitz and Primoz Roglic, with a late move of his own to gain time on his general classification rivals.

After being tested throughout the stage, the race leader remained composed before striking on the descent, a move that not only distanced his rivals but also reinforced his control over the race heading into the decisive final days.

Seixas admitted he had expected attacks, but not from as far out as they came. “I knew they would probably try to attack me today. Honestly, I didn’t expect it from that far out, but I stayed in control and didn’t panic. I wanted to keep something for the final,” he told Cycling Pro Net.

Rather than reacting impulsively, the Frenchman chose to absorb the pressure, trusting both his form and his preparation. “We had reconned the course with the team, so I knew the descent. I’d ridden it before and thought I could try something there, especially as not everyone is at the same level downhill.”

That knowledge proved decisive, with Seixas launching his move at precisely the moment the race began to hesitate.

The intent behind the attack was clear, and notably, it had little to do with the stage result itself. “I managed to open a gap and bring a few riders with me. I didn’t care about the stage win today. I just wanted to take time back, put a bit of pressure on them mentally and show them it’s not going to be that easy.”

That approach underlines the maturity of his ride, with Seixas focused not on short-term reward, but on strengthening his position in the overall standings.

Behind the move was a team performance that allowed him to remain in control throughout the stage. “The team were really strong today. They positioned me perfectly all day. I never had a moment where I felt out of place in the peloton. It was really a flawless team performance,” he said with pride.

Crucially, that support allowed Seixas to conserve energy for the decisive moment. “In the climbs, they stayed with me and supported me the whole time. I was never alone, and that allowed me to save energy for the final and then try that move.”

Seixas’ move came on a technical descent, but he was quick to stress it was a calculated decision rather than a gamble. “I didn’t take unnecessary risks. I knew the descent, so I trusted myself. Descending is quite psychological; there are periods in the season where you feel better than others, and right now I feel really comfortable.”

With the race now entering its most decisive phase, Seixas believes he has answered the key questions posed by his rivals. “So far, they haven’t really managed to put me in difficulty. I feel strong, I’m recovering well, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

While attention around him continues to grow, his focus remains firmly on the race itself. “It’s nice, of course. But I don’t focus on that. I’m in the race, I stay focused on what I have to do.”

After another composed and assertive performance, Seixas has not only extended his advantage, but also delivered a clear message to his rivals: breaking him will take more than early aggression.