{"id":239599,"date":"2026-04-21T13:56:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/21\/mind-boggling-for-someone-of-that-age-hype-builds-for-paul-seixas-challenging-pogacar-and-evenepoel-at-liege-bastogne-liege\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T13:56:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:56:21","slug":"mind-boggling-for-someone-of-that-age-hype-builds-for-paul-seixas-challenging-pogacar-and-evenepoel-at-liege-bastogne-liege","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/21\/mind-boggling-for-someone-of-that-age-hype-builds-for-paul-seixas-challenging-pogacar-and-evenepoel-at-liege-bastogne-liege\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Mind-boggling for someone of that age&#8217; \u2013 Hype builds for Paul Seixas challenging Poga\u010dar and Evenepoel at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-443fad84-2294-4b89-8780-0c957e932591\">With the next Monument of 2026 arriving this Sunday at <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/liege-bastogne-liege\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/liege-bastogne-liege\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/liege-bastogne-liege\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paul-seixas\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paul-seixas\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paul-seixas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Paul Seixas<\/a>&#8216; Decathlon-CMA CGM teammate Oliver Naesen has said he believes the rising French star is &#8220;the only one capable of following&#8221; defending champion <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/tadej-pogacar\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/tadej-pogacar\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/tadej-pogacar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a> (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).<\/p>\n<p>Two years ago, he crossed the line solo to win the junior version of the iconic Ardennes Classic, and since then, his rise to the upper echelons of the sport has been rapid, already expected to challenge the World Champion at still only 19.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-443fad84-2294-4b89-8780-0c957e932591-2\">He already confirmed his talent to the world last season at the Il Lombardia, where he was fifth, and during the European Championships road race, when only Poga\u010dar and Evenepoel were stronger. But already this season, he&#8217;s taken a huge step, and having <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/paul-seixas-claims-del-toro-was-blocking-him-as-pogacar-made-race-winning-attack-but-no-regrets-after-sensational-strade-bianche-debut\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/paul-seixas-claims-del-toro-was-blocking-him-as-pogacar-made-race-winning-attack-but-no-regrets-after-sensational-strade-bianche-debut\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/paul-seixas-claims-del-toro-was-blocking-him-as-pogacar-made-race-winning-attack-but-no-regrets-after-sensational-strade-bianche-debut\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">finished second behind the Slovenian at Strade Bianche<\/a>, he will be raring to go at his next appointment with cycling&#8217;s top rider.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"inline-block w-2.5 h-2.5 ml-2\" fill=\"currentColor\" preserveaspectratio=\"xMidYMid meet\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 1000\"><path d=\"M1000 100L500 900 0 100h1000z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Prior to that showdown, though, Seixas will race at La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne on Wednesday, and in the absence of Pogacar and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/remco-evenepoel\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/remco-evenepoel\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/remco-evenepoel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Remco Evenepoel<\/a> (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), he is likely to start as the big favourite for victory. Speaking on <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hln.be\/wielrennen\/paul-seixas-is-samen-met-pogacar-topfavoriet-in-luik-hoe-frans-supertalent-nu-al-trapje-hoger-staat-dan-remco-evenepoel~aeee2634\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.hln.be\/wielrennen\/paul-seixas-is-samen-met-pogacar-topfavoriet-in-luik-hoe-frans-supertalent-nu-al-trapje-hoger-staat-dan-remco-evenepoel~aeee2634\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Het Laatste Nieuws<\/em>&#8216; cycling podcast<\/a>, fellow Decathlon rider Naesen is expecting big things of his young teammate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think Paul [Seixas] has a better chance in the Fl\u00e8che Wallonne than in Li\u00e8ge. He has a chance of winning on Wednesday, and that is mind-boggling for someone of that age,&#8221; said Naesen, who still rated Poga\u010dar above him for La Doyenne, but bigged up the Frenchman as a key rival.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I have too much respect for the \u00fcber-champion that Poga\u010dar is for that. Although I do remain of the opinion that he is the only one capable of following him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>HLN<\/em> journalist Jonas Decleer even said that Seixas &#8220;is the top favourite along with Pogacar&#8221; for Li\u00e8ge, with Evenepoel &#8220;A step below them,&#8221; based on what he&#8217;s seen from the 19-year-old in 2026 \u2013 his most recent success being a <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/an-insane-victory-paul-seixas-secures-dominant-landmark-triumph-for-french-cycling-in-itzulia-basque-country\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/an-insane-victory-paul-seixas-secures-dominant-landmark-triumph-for-french-cycling-in-itzulia-basque-country\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/an-insane-victory-paul-seixas-secures-dominant-landmark-triumph-for-french-cycling-in-itzulia-basque-country\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complete domination of Itzulia Basque Country<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-XcjZ6T9ThMgB3FdJUa35bZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-XcjZ6T9ThMgB3FdJUa35bZ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;You can expect a lot from Paul,&#8221; said Naesen in response. \u201cI expect him to finish on the podium, and I think he expects that himself as well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While Decathlon&#8217;s Li\u00e8ge squad isn&#8217;t yet announced, Seixas will lead a young team at La Fl\u00e9che Wallonne, with L\u00e9o Bisiaux, Stan Dewulf, Noa Isidore, Antoine L&#8217;Hote, Jordan Labrosse, and Paul Lapeira riding in support of his efforts.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-22d52448-c9ef-4ba6-a15e-a89cae6a9da4\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"should-he-make-his-tour-de-france-debut-3\">Should he make his Tour de France debut?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-2733ceff-85e9-4929-bff9-b9a39959926a\">Ever since he hit the ground running in 2026 with second on GC and a stage win at the Volta ao Algarve, speculation over whether he will make his <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tour de France<\/a> debut this year has continued to grow.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p>His latest Basque Country exhibition only added to this, and while Decathlon want to keep the pressure off the Frenchman \u2013 which is already mounting as France looks more and more to him to potentially end its 41-year drought without a home men&#8217;s Tour de France winner \u2013 Naesen believes the time is right.<\/p>\n<p>Naesen said on <em>HLN<\/em>&#8216;s podcast that no decision has yet been made, &#8220;But if I were the team boss, I would send him,&#8221; with racing the Tour in 2026 likely to be his last chance to start without massive expectation to follow the likes of Poga\u010dar and compete for the yellow jersey.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If he doesn&#8217;t compete and then finishes, say, fifth in the Vuelta, he won&#8217;t be able to go to the Tour next year without pressure. Then, according to the French, anything less than fifth is a failure.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you send him to the Tour now and he finishes 12th and competes for a stage win a few times, that would already be a tremendous success, especially for someone his age. I assume the team will take him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Seixas may not be a Decathlon rider for long, with different rumours circulating about the team&#8217;s French licence and any and every other super team being interested in his signature, but Naesen does note how he should remain among their ranks until at least 2028.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are no alternatives if you want to go for victory in the Tour in the coming years,&#8221; said Naesen. &#8220;It is true that several teams are trying to sign him, but he is still under contract with us next year.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>There are currently no races on his schedule after the Ardennes Classics, but if he does win Fl\u00e8che and compete with the superstars as he is expected to in Li\u00e8ge, it will be hard to see doing anything but taking their main man to the Tour&#8217;s Grand D\u00e9part in Barcelona.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/mind-boggling-for-someone-of-that-age-hype-builds-for-paul-seixas-challenging-pogacar-and-evenepoel-at-liege-bastogne-liege\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the next Monument of 2026 arriving this Sunday at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, Paul Seixas&#8216; Decathlon-CMA CGM teammate Oliver Naesen has said he believes the rising French star is &#8220;the only one capable of following&#8221; defending champion Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). Two years ago, he crossed the line solo to win the junior version of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":239600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-239599","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239599","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239599"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239599\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/239600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}