Paul Seixas really impressed me, acknowledges Tadej Pogacar, winner of Liège-Bastogne

Published on April 26, 2026 at 16:35 – Updated on April 26, 2026 at 16:36

The 19-year-old French prodigy was the only one able to keep up with the world champion on Sunday before faltering in the final climb of the day.

Hailed by the king of the peloton. Second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège in his first participation in the Doyenne, Paul Seixas once again impressed. And especially the world champion, Tadej Pogacar, winner for the fourth time on the Ardennes docks after an intense battle with the Frenchman. “It means a lot to me to win one of the biggest races on the calendar. I don’t race much, so I have opportunities. I feel a lot of pressure every time,” savored Tadej Pogacar speaking to the organizers.

Before acknowledging Paul Seixas’ performance, the only rider capable of following him in his rapid ascent of the Redoute climb: “I pushed really hard. I saw he was struggling a bit, but he stayed in my wheel. He really impressed me. He took turns that allowed us to open up a big gap. In my head, I was preparing for a sprint finish with him. But luckily, I managed to drop him.”

“I didn’t miss by much”, sighed Paul Seixas, acknowledging the superiority of the world champion, after admitting he was “struggling at the top of the Redoute”. But the Lyon rider hung on until the Roche-aux-Faucons climb: “Naturally, I took my turn. I thought to myself: we’ll see how the end of the race goes. He attacked in the Roche-aux-Faucons. I was a little short to hang on with him. I managed to finish as best I could to secure this second place.”