Paul Seixas: Rising Star of World Cycling

After a series of impressive performances in the Ardennes Classics, Paul Seixas climbs to 7th place in the world and becomes the top-ranked French rider in the UCI ranking.

The progression is spectacular and matches his early season form. Just a few months ago, the 19-year-old from Lyon was in 71st place in the UCI world rankings, but now he sits at 7th place, a reward for a particularly successful spring.

Riding for Team Decathlon–CMA CGM, Seixas started his season with a stage win and second place overall in the Tour of the Algarve, before winning the Ardèche Classic. His second place in the Strade Bianche and ultimate victory in the Tour of the Basque Country confirmed his rising star status.

However, it was during the Ardennes Classics that the Rhône-Alpes rider truly stepped up. His victory in the Fleche Wallonne, his first major classic win, followed by a second place in Liege-Bastogne-Liege after a spectacular duel with Tadej Pogacar, allowed him to soar fourteen places in the rankings at once.

Seixas now joins the ranks of the world’s best riders, behind references like Tadej Pogacar or Jonas Vingegaard. He also becomes the top-ranked French rider, solidifying his position as a new figure in French cycling, with all eyes on him as France eagerly awaits his decision on whether he will participate in this summer’s Tour de France.