“It’s just exceptional” - Kevin Vauquelin praises training partner Paul Seixas after 19-year-old destroys rivals in Itzulia time trial

Kevin Vauquelin had just set one of the standout rides of the day in Bilbao, finishing second on the opening stage time trial at Itzulia Basque Country 2026 and boosting the GC hopes of the INEOS Grenadiers. But even before the final riders had crossed the line, his reaction was already shaped by the performance that defined the stage.

Speaking after the finish, the Frenchman pointed immediately to Paul Seixas, whose dominant ride left the rest of the field chasing. “It’s just exceptional,” Vauquelin told Cycling Pro Net.

The two know each other well away from racing, regularly training together, and that familiarity shaped how Vauquelin framed what the 19-year-old had just produced.

“There’s no coincidence. He’s just strong, and he trains hard. He’s been on that level since last year, since becoming world champion. There’s no coincidence,” he continued. “I ride with him, we train together, we have coffee rides with Jordan Jegat and Louis Barre. He’s a great guy, and we all get along well. The race is the race, we enjoy it, it’s a game.”

Rather than treating the ride as a sudden breakthrough, Vauquelin made clear this was something he has seen building over time through shared training blocks, including recent work in Nice.

While Seixas took the headlines, Vauquelin’s own ride — finishing 23 seconds down — still marked a strong start to the week on a course that demanded both explosiveness and control.

“Honestly, it went well. I started really fast. Then I felt at times that I was lacking a bit of energy, but I think that’s the same for everyone. It’s a time trial, you have to go out hard,” he said. “But the last two or three kilometres are really difficult, especially with a headwind where you can lose a lot of time. So no, I’m happy.”

That performance comes after a solid block of preparation, which Vauquelin believes has put him in the right place physically heading into the coming weeks. “I’m in really good shape. I’ve trained really well, done some big weeks. I had my coach at home, so everything went really well,” he explained.

After a long winter and early-season racing, he also pointed to changing conditions as a possible factor in how riders experienced the effort. “These are the first warm days, so maybe there were some unusual sensations today because of that.”

With the Ardennes Classics on the horizon, Vauquelin made clear that races like Itzulia are not approached passively, even within a broader build-up.

“Do you really think there are preparation races in 2026?” he said with a smile. “Of course, it’s also about preparing for the Ardennes, but that still means going for the win. You have to push yourself to your limits to take the next step.”

That mindset, he suggested, is key to continuing his progression at WorldTour level, and something he has been focused on in recent seasons.