Tour of the Basque Country: Paul Seixas crushes the initial time and already takes the lead in the general classification

His return had been expected for a month and his second place at Strade Bianche, behind the untouchable Tadej Pogacar. This Monday, Paul Seixas began his Tour of the Basque Country with a very difficult 13.8 km time trial, with an ascent to start and a final difficulty in the finale. And he has already struck a major blow, securing the first victory of his career in the WorldTour.

Dazzling in this time exercise, the Frenchman sent his compatriot Kévin Vauquelin back to 23 seconds and Félix Grossschartner to 27 seconds. Among the favorites, Primoz Roglic (28″), Florian Lipowitz (33″), Isaac Del Toro (50″) and Juan Ayuso (1′16″) are even further away. A superb performance which perfectly launches a decisive race in the season of the 19-year-old rider, who could decide his presence at the Tour de France in the event of positive results.

Paul Seixas started his inaugural time trial with his feet on the floor, setting the best time at the top of the Alto de Santo Domingo. Very solid on the descent and in the valley, he continued to widen the gap before leaving his last strength on the final slopes. “I had nothing left in my legs. Nothing, nothing,” he smiled upon arrival, between two grins of suffering.

“Obviously, I have a good feeling, it’s a successful time,” he continued a few minutes later on Eurosport. I didn’t take any crazy risks, it was quite windy, I had to be careful, but I of course committed myself, in a race you are always supercharged by adrenaline. I found the right balance, I followed what I wanted to do and I’m very happy with my time, it’s a great day. »

Launched towards the Tour de France?

This first step bodes well for this very difficult week ahead in the Basque Country. With a very demanding course, marked by multiple climbs every day, this WorldTour event should allow Paul Seixas to assess his level before deciding on a possible participation in the Tour de France.

Dominique Serieys, the boss of his team, also said he was “favorable” to the idea of ​​seeing his prodigy on the 2026 Tour. The management of the French team has even set a roadmap which should lead to a decision being made after the Flèche Wallonne contested on April 22, 2026 and Liège-Bastogne-Liège four days later. “After Liège, we will analyze all his races, especially the Basque Country, because it is a difficult one-week race,” explained Dominique Serieys during the last Paris-Nice.

This time trial is a first clue. It will nevertheless be necessary to observe the recovery abilities of Paul Seixas, who would become, in the event of a final victory, the first Tricolore winner of a WorldTour stage race since Christophe Moreau on the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2007. And who would confirm his excellent exceptional talent glimpsed last year and at the start of the season, with a stage victory at the Tour d’Algarve, a success at the Faun-Ardèche Classic and his 2nd place at the Strade Bianche.