{"id":248138,"date":"2026-06-13T16:29:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T16:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/13\/an-idiotic-crash-and-a-crazy-chase-paul-seixas-recounts-extraordinary-blood-stained-fightback-at-tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T16:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T16:29:25","slug":"an-idiotic-crash-and-a-crazy-chase-paul-seixas-recounts-extraordinary-blood-stained-fightback-at-tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/13\/an-idiotic-crash-and-a-crazy-chase-paul-seixas-recounts-extraordinary-blood-stained-fightback-at-tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes\/","title":{"rendered":"An &#8216;idiotic&#8217; crash and a &#8216;crazy&#8217; chase \u2013 Paul Seixas recounts extraordinary blood-stained fightback at Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-72ad9cfd-3f23-4cba-893a-6bc61106c444\">Pre-race favourite <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> saw his <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/races\/criterium-du-dauphine-auvergne-rhone-alpes-2026\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/races\/criterium-du-dauphine-auvergne-rhone-alpes-2026\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/races\/criterium-du-dauphine-auvergne-rhone-alpes-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/a> hopes dealt a major blow \u2013 but extraordinarily not a definitive one \u2013 on the penultimate day, as <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes-isaac-del-toro-catches-and-drops-attacker-juan-ayuso-in-clash-on-grand-colombier-to-claim-stage-7-victory\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes-isaac-del-toro-catches-and-drops-attacker-juan-ayuso-in-clash-on-grand-colombier-to-claim-stage-7-victory\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes-isaac-del-toro-catches-and-drops-attacker-juan-ayuso-in-clash-on-grand-colombier-to-claim-stage-7-victory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an early crash left him with a huge chase<\/a> and a mammoth struggle on the Grand Colombier summit finish.<\/p>\n<p>The 19-year-old Frenchman has set the world alight this season and has been tipped to win the former Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 en route to challenging <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> and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/jonas-vingegaard\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/jonas-vingegaard\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/jonas-vingegaard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jonas Vingegaard<\/a> at his debut Tour de France.<\/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-72ad9cfd-3f23-4cba-893a-6bc61106c444-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But his meteoric momentum was suddenly halted on Saturday, when he crashed just 30km into stage 7, the second of three big mountain stages. What followed was remarkable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel=\"\" data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\\\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\\\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"\/><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container=\"\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Restarting some four minutes down, Seixas managed to gradually plug that huge gap to a fast-paced peloton over the course of a long 60km, and not without some brilliant work from his team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With blood visible on his arms, legs, and jersey, an ailing Seixas dragged himself up the final climb, losing the wheel early but never cracking and limiting the damage to 1:21 to stage winner Isaac del Toro, whom he trails overall by 1:05 with one stage remaining.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I said to myself, &#8216;it\u2019s over, I\u2019m never coming back&#8217;,&#8221; Seixas revealed in a post-stage interview as the day&#8217;s most combative rider.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But what my teammates did today was crazy. I could barely hold the handlebars. But on the final climb, I said to myself, &#8216;I&#8217;m going to give my all until the end for these five guys who sacrificed everything for me&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-FKfgNt64YQWJxkDF2fKgJZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-FKfgNt64YQWJxkDF2fKgJZ 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><a id=\"elk-9af46cc5-febc-45fe-ba88-3e58d5346eb4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-crash-entirely-my-fault-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The crash \u2013 &#8216;entirely my fault&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-531bb42a-f2f9-42ba-b776-8da8cd22bc3b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The crash occurred on the descent of the C\u00f4te de Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens after 30km, and Seixas took full responsibility.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The top half of the descent had, in fact, been neutralised due to gravel on the road, but Seixas said there was still gravel on the lower section as he recounted the crash that happened just after the restart.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;An error on my part. I have no excuse. I went into a corner too quick,&#8221; Seixas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019d become used to overtaking riders on descents to move up without using energy, and voila, that&#8217;s not necessarily a risk-free strategy. Today I paid for it. I took too many risks.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-53610f7d-5b8d-4396-8563-956395fd8d6c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"GRAND COLOMBIER, FRANCE - JUNE 13: Paul Seixas of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM - White Best Young Rider Jersey competes injured after falling during the 78th Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026, Stage 7 a 133.6km stage from La Bridoire to Grand Colombier 1496m \/ #UCIWT \/ on June 13, 2026 in Grand Colombier, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9qd5tNjQdg2tiuNoBwZFZ9.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Seixas with his team car after the crash <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a6f51d40-f1f5-44ca-bb35-2f0d4c7b71f4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I misjudged the corner. I was going around the outside of one rider, I apologise to that rider, and to the others around me, who I put in danger. It was entirely my fault. There was a ditch on the right and gravel on the left, and for a while my wheel was in between the two, and then it gave way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Seixas was pictured lying stricken on a grass bank at the roadside, being tended to by the race doctor. He was seen with cuts on his legs and arms, but it was his hands that took much of the impact.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I went tumbling like a toboggan, and I went sliding first of all on my hands, at 70km\/h,&#8221; he said. &#8220;For a moment, I didn\u2019t believe I\u2019d be able to get going again. I was really beat-up, and I could barely hold the handlebars.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-8e3f49b5-bf38-45cd-b400-ab3a47a23cbf\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-long-chase-i-was-dead-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The long chase \u2013 &#8216;I was dead&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-5ea0e2aa-1a17-415a-9d7d-5ccd70b2382b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After taking a while to get back on his bike, Seixas found himself four minutes behind the peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I said to myself, &#8216;what do I do? Shall I say not to wait? Because it\u2019s useless, I\u2019m too far behind, I\u2019m never going to come back&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But wait they did, and what ensued was a remarkable team time trial of sorts. Stefan Bissegger and then Daan Hoole, the team&#8217;s two time trial specialists, were the first to drop back for the 30km valley stretch to the first ascent of the Grand Colombier.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">By the time the peloton had reached the foot of that climb with 65km remaining, they had reduced the arrears to 2:40. On the climb itself, Aur\u00e9lien Paret-Peintre and Nicolas Prodhomme dropped back to take over from Hoole and Bissegger.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-4c3371d5-408c-4176-a5e8-ad9528c84ea1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"GRAND COLOMBIER, FRANCE - JUNE 13: (L-R) Paul Seixas of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM - White Best Young Rider Jersey and Aurelien Paret-Peintre of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM compete during the 78th Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026, Stage 7 a 133.6km stage from La Bridoire to Grand Colombier 1496m \/ #UCIWT \/ on June 13, 2026 in Grand Colombier, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n2K6YPSeYqSuQaj6mcJeBM.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paret-Peintre guides Seixas on the first Grand Colombier <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7f40d682-4e0d-4dbd-9a8e-bb0aea07d6b1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The plan worked, and, remarkably, Seixas reduced the gap to less than a minute by the summit. After a short descent, there was a stretch in the valley towards the Col de Richemond, where Seixas found another teammate, the young L\u00e9o Bisiaux, to plug the final part of the gap.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He finally rejoined the peloton after the intermediate sprint in Chanay with just under 40km remaining.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Stefan and Daan did a huge job on the flat, incredible, they gave everything. Aur\u00e9 did the Grand Colombier full gas, and then Nico as well. They all did enormous work, as there were no gifts [from the peloton].<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On the descent, I suffered a lot; my hands and arms were beat up, and my back was stiff. But then L\u00e9o gave me the jump across. I was dead when I got back in there. But I just dug in and tried to regain the maximum strength that I had left.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-6c6fc501-d488-42c3-aed2-784c1795d4cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-final-climb-never-mind-the-pain-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The final climb \u2013 &#8216;never mind the pain&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-21b3459e-6bc9-44e7-a0cc-efc1f0d25c5b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The penultimate climb of the Col de Richemond passed by without event, but Seixas soon found himself in trouble on the final climb of the Grand Colombier, this time tackled from the harder side. But once again in remarkable fashion, he dug in and refused to throw in the towel.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He dangled behind the 20-strong group of his main rivals at first, only losing significant ground when Juan Ayuso opened the attacks with 6.7km to go. Seixas could still lean on his teammate Bisiaux for a couple of kilometres, limiting losses as most of his rivals disappeared from view.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Bisiaux pulled aside 5km from the top, and from there Seixas produced another stirring comeback, stomping on the pedals to drop the yellow jersey Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). With Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) locked in his wheel, he made his way up the mountain virtually alone and came inching back, until the steep final couple of hundred metres when he began to fade once more.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-8e2059e8-67e7-4ff5-ad2a-df042b427141\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Decathlon CMA CGM Team&amp;#039;s French rider Paul Seixas cycles to the finish line of the 7th stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes cycling race (formerly known as the Criterium du Dauphine), 133,6km between La Bridoire and Grand Colombier in the French Alps on June 13, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6EobiYoVvnhcQHwdPbUpyS.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Seixas drags himself to the line <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-862c5b42-fe8b-47a8-a3d3-26a2b87c230a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Seixas placed seventh on the day, 1:21 behind Del Toro, just under a minute down on second-placed Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek), and 40 seconds behind Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike), Tobias Halland Johanessen (Uno-X), and Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;m not proud of myself, no; I&#8217;m proud of my team,&#8221; Seixas said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;They worked 100% for me after my idiocy, which was all my fault, and honestly, I made the whole team pay today.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I struggled to hold the handlebars, but I did so anyway, and I thought, &#8216;Never mind the pain, I\u2019m going to give my all until the end for these five guys who sacrificed everything for me, when they could have left me behind, and I would have had no complaints because it&#8217;s what I deserved.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Just chapeau to them. They can know that I love them all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-490c573d-2f04-4b49-8906-9c890862ad54\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tomorrow-fight-to-the-end-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tomorrow \u2013 &#8216;fight to the end&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-80305f6e-d433-4eb3-a3ab-e66528c49b95\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"GRAND COLOMBIER, FRANCE - JUNE 13: Paul Seixas of France and Team Decathlon CMA CGM celebrates at podium as most combative rider prize winner during the 78th Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026, Stage 7 a 133.6km stage from La Bridoire to Grand Colombier 1496m \/ #UCIWT \/ on June 13, 2026 in Grand Colombier, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiFShfjcuzREFJJWrR7xHb.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Seixas on the podium after the stage for his combativity prize <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e0490558-83ce-4df5-b95f-c832145a01ba\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This race is not over, and Seixas vowed to fight on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He said he&#8217;d see how the evening goes but indicated abrasions were his only injuries and seemed certain he&#8217;d be on the start line on Sunday morning for the short but monstrous final stage in the mountains.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Yes, I think I\u2019ll start. We&#8217;ll see this evening, but I&#8217;m going to fight to the end for my team,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Overall, with one stage remaining, Seixas is sixth, trailing Luke Tuckwell by 1:54, Matteo Jorgenson by 1:12, and Isaac Del Toro by 1:05.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If he can recover overnight, victory is not completely out of sight \u2013 it would be one of the most extraordinary this race has ever seen.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-47634a5a-8ee6-43a6-9f39-073073610dd2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes and Tour de Suisse coverage. Don&#8217;t miss any of the breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight as the riders make their final preparations for Le Tour. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/down-but-not-out-paul-seixas-produces-extraordinary-comeback-from-early-crash-and-long-chase-to-limit-losses-at-tour-auvergne-rhone-alpes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pre-race favourite Paul Seixas saw his Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes hopes dealt a major blow \u2013 but extraordinarily not a definitive one \u2013 on the penultimate day, as an early crash left him with a huge chase and a mammoth struggle on the Grand Colombier summit finish. The 19-year-old Frenchman has set the world alight this season [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":248139,"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-248138","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\/248138","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=248138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248138\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/248139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=248138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=248138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=248138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}