“The form I have right now is really exceptional” – Paul Seixas sees ‘huge opportunity’ at Liège-Bastogne-Liège against Pogacar and Evenepoel
Cycling
Paul Seixas arrives at Liège-Bastogne-Liège carrying both momentum and perspective, balancing rising expectations with an awareness of the scale of the test that awaits on Sunday.
Speaking to Cycling Pro Net on the eve of the race, the 19-year-old leader of Decathlon CMA CGM Team confirmed he has recovered well from his victory at Flèche Wallonne and is ready to go again. “Of course, three days is enough to recover well, so I feel good and I’m ready for tomorrow.”
A course that fits, but still unknown
Seixas has some familiarity with the Liège roads from his junior years, but much of the route still represents new territory at WorldTour level. “I knew La Redoute, we did part of it before, and I also rode Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons that year. But there aren’t many other climbs I really knew.”
That partial knowledge is enough to shape his expectations. “La Redoute is obviously important, and it inspires me because it’s a race that really suits a punchy climber. Tomorrow is going to be very hard.”
A rising status, but measured expectations
Seixas’ victory at Flèche Wallonne has significantly shifted the pre-race narrative around Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with the 19-year-old now widely discussed as a third major contender alongside Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel.
That win, combined with his earlier performances this spring, has moved him from outsider to one of the central talking points ahead of Sunday’s Monument. “It’s true that after Flèche my status has gone up a bit, but I don’t have much experience in Monuments yet, so tomorrow will be a big test,” says the French starlet. “To put me among the top three favourites is maybe very ambitious.”
At the same time, his ambition remains unchanged. “But I feel capable of being at the front tomorrow and I will give everything to get the best result. When I start a race, it’s not to aim for anything other than the win.”
Paul Seixas during recon for Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2026
Measuring himself against the best
That confidence is balanced by realism when it comes to facing the established leaders of the race. “It’s going to be extremely difficult,” he said when asked about matching Pogacar and Evenepoel. “But already being able to follow them would be good, and then we’ll see.”
Rather than being weighed down by expectation, Seixas is treating the situation as an opportunity. “Of course, it’s a huge opportunity,” he said. “The form I have right now is really exceptional.”
With that form, his approach is straightforward. “I will try everything and give 100 percent tomorrow. Then we’ll see what the result is at the end.”
A tougher route, but for everyone
The changes to this year’s route are expected to make the race more selective, something Seixas believes will affect the entire field rather than favouring individuals. “Yes, it probably suits climbers more, but it suits all the favourites as well,” he says. “It might reduce the peloton more before La Redoute, which can help with positioning. But positioning will still be chaotic.”
Ultimately, he expects the impact to be shared across the contenders. “I think it will benefit everyone in a similar way.”
Opportunity meets reality
Seixas arrives at Liège-Bastogne-Liège with rare momentum for a rider of his age, but also with a clear understanding of the challenge ahead. His form, by his own admission, is at an exceptional level. His ambition is unchanged. But his expectations remain grounded in the reality of a Monument where experience and endurance are often decisive.
Sunday will offer his clearest test yet. And, as he has made clear, he intends to take that opportunity fully.
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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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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