“The form I have right now is really exceptional” – Paul Seixas sees ‘huge opportunity’ at Liège-Bastogne-Liège against Pogacar and Evenepoel

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.