It seemed too simple. It’s as if the other cyclists have come to terms in advance with the fact that when Tadej Pogačar attacks, the only thing left for them is the fight for second place.
The Slovenian did not even get off the saddle in the Côte de la Redoute climb. However, he stepped up his pace so much that he built up a key lead in a short time.
34 km later, he was able to raise the bike above his head in victory and enjoy his successful defense and his third overall triumph at Liège – Bastogne – Liège.
On Sunday, the reigning world champion will go for a hat-trick, but this time he will have challengers at the start who will not want to just watch as another winning solo begins at Redout.
Remco Evenepoel is in significantly better shape than last year, and generational talent Paul Seixas is aiming for the top ranks right at his premiere.
VIDEO: Footage from the monument Liége – Bastogne – Liége 2025
The birth of a new champion
Only a 19-year-old Frenchman fills the headlines of newspapers around the world. Many see in him the successor of Pogačar or the future winner of the Tour de France, for whom the host country has been waiting since the days of Bernard Hinault.
The head of the competing team Groupama-FDJ United Marc Madiot called him the chosen one and according to journalist Pierre Menjot, he could achieve the best results among the classics precisely at Liège – Bastogne – Liège.
The native of Lyon is the winner of the junior version of this race from 2024, he also dominated the Tour de l’Avenir and already has seven victories this season.
After more than 41 kilometers solo, he won the Faun-Ardèche classic, attracting attention that surprised even the organizer Guillaume Delpech.
“When I announced that our race would take place, many more journalists were accredited. There were French flags everywhere, the spectators were excited and when they sang the Marseillaise at the end, it was like being in a football stadium.
We witnessed the birth of a new champion and inspiration for the youth. We have been waiting for him for a long time. He is intelligent, has charisma and can change the image of cycling in France,” said Delpech to the WielerFlits portal.
French cyclist Paul Seixas. (Author: TASR/AP)
He had not seen such talent in 25 years
Seixas impressed even more at Okolo Basque, where he dominated the time trial and also the next two stages. He took home all four valuable jerseys and won with the largest lead in the last 24 years (2:30 min, note).
He continued his winning campaign at premiere on the Walloon Arrowwhere he climbed the iconic Mur de Huy hill in the third fastest time in history.
“I’ve been in cycling for 25 years, but Paul is the best rider I’ve ever worked with. Romain Bardet was great in his day, I got goosebumps.
But Paul is a different class. I’ve never seen anyone like that,” Decathlon team sports director Julien Jurdie told Sporza TV.
Seixas watched the Walloon Arrow on TV last year, but on Wednesday he became only the second rider after Marco Hirschi to conquer the Mur de Huy on his debut.
VIDEO: Footage from the Walloon Arrow 2026 cycling classic
The contribution of the talented youngster was also highlighted by his teammate Stan Dewulf. He does not have stellar manners, he learns and motivates the other drivers who feel that they can achieve victories in the lineup with him.
“He’s the leader we’ve been looking for. He’s a once-in-ten-twenty-year rider. He’s down to earth, even though he’s half a million more expensive every week with his performances,” says Dewulf.
The same order as in the EC?
Seixas met Pogačar already at the beginning of March. On the dirt classic, Strade Bianche bravely responded to his attack, but the Slovenian was stronger. However, Seixas’ second place was a great result.
At his age, Pogačar did not have a single professional victory, but the Decathlon rider does not make exaggerated statements and has great respect for the world champion.
“We are talking here about possibly the best cyclist of all time. I am not at his level at the moment, but I am training to become the best. I will definitely fight and the Walloon Arrow showed that I am in good shape,” says Seixas.
With his fourth victory at Liége – Bastogne – Liége, Pogačar would catch up with Moreno Argentina and Alejandro Valverde. Eddy Merckx will remain the record holder, while his five triumphs may be Pogačar’s next goal.
“Of all the great classics, this is the terrain in which Pogačar can most easily make a difference. Not that the climbs are endless, but that’s where he can use his strength,” reports the specialized portal WielerFlits.
In addition to the mentioned pair, Remco Evenepoel, who equaled Seixas (7) in the number of victories this year, is also a candidate for the podium or victory.
He finished third at the Tour of Flanders, won the Amstel Gold Race and is also a two-time winner of the LBL. He did not find the Conqueror in 2022 and 2023.
All three also met together at last year’s EC in France, where Pogačar triumphed over Evenepoel and the newly 19-year-old from Lyon.
