After his first professional victory and second place in Tour the Algarve, Paul Seixas was eagerly awaited for his first race of the season in France. He did not disappoint.
On Saturday, he dominated the Faun Ardèche Classic from start to finish to claim his second victory of the year, his first on French soil.
The strategy was clear: protect Paul, rely on the team until they reached the foot of the Col de Saint-Romain-de-Lerps, then set a fast pace to put him in the best possible position. Noa Issidore and Jordan Labrosse played their roles to perfection.
With 45 kilometers to go, Paul took the lead. A few kilometers later, he was alone.
What could have turned into an ordeal—the wind, fatigue, pressure from a group of pursuers including Jan Christen, Jorgenson, and Lenny Martinez—he turned into favorable terrain. Paul managed it all: the effort, the nutrition, the mental game. Until he raised his arms in front of his loved ones.
A successful day, both for the team and for the rest of the season.
Paul Seixas
"It was a crazy day and the team did a great job."
"The plan with the team was to attack at that point in the race with the aim of breaking away with a small group of five or six riders . I felt exceptionally good today. I found myself with Jorgenson, and at first, as he wasn't taking any turns, I thought he was bluffing a little. But on the hill, when I picked up the pace to make sure the others couldn't catch up, I saw that he couldn't keep up, so I went off on my own. It was tough in the Val d'Enfer. I was struggling at times, but I forced myself to keep up the pace. I thought about my family at the finish line; it was my dad's birthday. It was crazy, I could hardly believe it! It was a crazy day and the team did a great job."
The news
Tobias Lund Andresen sixth in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
By winning the peloton sprint, Tobias Lund Andresen took sixth place in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Attacking on the Bosberg climb, the Dane was unable to catch up with the leaders.
41
Key number
The number of kilometers Paul Seixas rode alone before winning. Setting off on the Val d'Enfer climb, he was never seen again by his competitors.
