The last Liège-Bastogne-Liège spring classic ended with the expected victory Tadeja Pogačarbut the solo victory of the Slovenian champion was not the main news of the day. The attention fell to the 19-year-old To Paul Seixaswho competed perfectly with the Slovenian ace and only gave up on the last climb.
“We went to La Redoute so fast that I could hardly believe it. I was completely exhausted, I followed him with the last atoms of strength, at the top my eyes were already foggy due to the pain. I don’t know how I held on, then I rested a bit and worked with him to build a big enough lead over the pursuers. The last slope decided, I was completely empty there,” Seixas described a very combative performance.
Pogačar finally broke him at Roche-aux-Faucons, but Seixas was not disappointed: “I came to the race to win, but I also have to be satisfied with second place. The fact that I was able to follow Pogačar for a while is a great achievement.”
Seixas impressed the public with an outstanding fight on the climb of Redoute. PHOTO: Elias Rom/AFP
At the finish line, he was the first to be congratulated by the world champion, who, like the rest of the cycling world, was impressed by the courage of the young man from the ranks of the French Decathlon. “I think we will also see him in the race around France, he is so good that France will be delighted with him,” Pogačar added fuel to the fire of speculation that the French will not be able to resist the temptation this year and will send Seixas to the starting line in Barcelona.
Physically, the Tour will be a big challenge for him, and the pressure will be exponentially greater due to the enormous expectations of the French public, hungry for a home champion. Seixas did not want to confirm the rumours, he only added that he will coordinate the program of the next races in these days with the team. Before the end of the spring, Pogačar will race in the Romandie race, where he will once again be the first favorite to win. The race starts today with the prologue, they will also be at the start Domain Novak, Jan Tratnik and Primož Rogličwhich returns to racing after a short break.
