“Today is already a sign that I am in form” - Paul Seixas fires Liege warning to Pogacar & Evenepoel with dominant Mur de Huy showing at Fleche Wallonne

Paul Seixas confirmed his arrival at the very top level of the Ardennes with a commanding victory on the Mur de Huy, winning La Flèche Wallonne 2026 in a performance that now places him firmly among the leading contenders ahead of Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

The 19-year-old Frenchman delivered the decisive acceleration in the closing metres of the final climb, pulling clear of his rivals to secure the biggest win of his career and underline his rapid rise through the sport.

Riding for Decathlon CMA CGM Team, Seixas highlighted the importance of the collective effort behind his victory, with the race shaped early by a clear and controlled approach. “The plan was to set a strong pace today,” he explained afterwards. “That started right from the start when turning onto the local circuit. From that moment on, it was a real struggle.”

As the race intensified on the finishing circuits, Seixas was able to rely on his teammates to guide him through the chaos and deliver him into position for the finale. “I mainly had to stay on the wheel of my teammates. I really have to thank them, too, because they rode brilliantly.”

After a race that had already taken its toll on the peloton through crashes and sustained pressure, positioning proved decisive heading into the final ascent of the Mur de Huy.

Seixas arrived at the base of the climb exactly where he needed to be, protected by his teammates and surrounded by the other key contenders. “I was brought into a good position for the final climb. This victory is really down to the team. I am very satisfied.”

From there, the race followed the familiar Flèche Wallonne pattern, with a reduced group climbing together before the decisive accelerations in the final sector.

The significance of the victory was not lost on Seixas, who reflected on how quickly his trajectory has changed. “This is an enormously important victory. Last year I was still watching on television, now I just won this race.”

On one of cycling’s most specialised finishes, the Frenchman proved he had both the composure and the explosive power required to deliver when it mattered most.

Attention now quickly turns to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where Seixas will line up with renewed confidence following his performance on the Mur de Huy. “That’s going to be a great race, yes,” he said when asked about Sunday. “I will try to defend myself as best I can, but today is already a sign that I am in form.”

After a breakthrough performance in one of the Ardennes’ most demanding races, Seixas heads into the final Monument of the spring not just as an outsider, but as a rider who has already shown he can deliver at the very highest level.