"Try to follow the best..." - Paul Seixas ahead of Strade Bianche debut against Pogacar, Pidcock and Van Aert
Cycling
Paul Seixas reaches Strade Bianche 2026 as one of the standout names of this early season. The young Frenchman will make his debut in the Italian classic in Siena after a brilliant start to the year, already claiming his first two professional wins and as one of the very few men who stands a chance of challenging Tadej Pogacar.
Speaking to Cyclingpro.net, the rider expressed his satisfaction with his opening months and the sensations he’s carried into the season. “It’s a dream start to the year. Before the season I said I wanted, first, to be happy, and then try to get good results. Winning two races already is really impressive for me,” he said on the eve of the race.
After those victories, Seixas now faces a very different challenge with his first participation in the Strade Bianche, a race as spectacular as it is demanding thanks to its sterrato sectors. The Frenchman is excited by the opportunity and trusts he can be in the mix when the race is decided.
“I hope to be there when the battle starts and try to follow the best. Then we’ll see how the race unfolds,” he noted. He also stressed that this is a highly technical test, where it’s not only about the legs, but also factors like bike handling and race luck.
Paul Seixas outpaced Juan Ayuso on the final climb
“It’s a technical race. You need skills and also a bit of luck with crashes or punctures,” he pointed out.
With that in mind, Seixas and his team have worked in the days before the race to dial in equipment and recon the course. The Frenchman explained he has already ridden several of the key sectors of the Tuscan route.
“Two days ago we tested on some sectors, like the sixth and seventh, and then also the last ones, the eighth, ninth and tenth. We tried different tire pressures to see what works best,” he said.
The first sensations from those training runs were positive, although he acknowledges that racing will be very different to reconnaissance.
“We didn’t have any punctures, which is already a good sign. But in the race it’s different, with all the riders and the stress. You need to pick the right lines and have good technique to be at the front at the finish,” he explained.
Competition in Siena
He will also face fierce competition in Siena, with top-tier rivals such as Tom Pidcock, Tadej Pogacar and Wout van Aert. To fight them, Seixas is clear about the keys.
“First we’ll need a bit of luck to be up front and well positioned. Positioning will be very important and then having a really incredible day,” he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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