French cyclist Paul Seixas made history on Saturday, October 10, 2026, by becoming the youngest ever winner of the Giro di Lombardia, a prestigious one-day classic. At just 20 years old, Seixas ended his breakout season as a Monument winner, capping off an incredible year that has seen him achieve remarkable success. Seixas's victory was a "dream" come true, and he credited his teammates for their exceptional support.
Seixas's impressive performance saw him launch a devastating attack on the Civiglio climb with around 19km of the 239km race remaining. He quickly dropped his remaining challengers, including Olympic and European cycling champion Remco Evenepoel, pre-race favourite Isaac Del Toro, and world champion Brandon McNulty. Seixas's solo ride to victory was a testament to his exceptional skill and endurance.
The race started five minutes behind schedule due to a brief protest by riders over safety concerns following a series of incidents involving vehicles on race routes. However, once the racing began, Seixas and his competitors were in for a thrilling ride. With the dominant Tadej Pogacar missing due to injury, Seixas saw an opportunity to claim victory and seized it with a remarkable performance.
Seixas's success completes a remarkable first full season in the professional ranks. Earlier in the year, he won the Tour of the Basque Country and La Fleche Wallonne, and finished second at Strade Bianche, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and the Montreal GP. He also impressed at the Tour de France, finishing fourth in his debut Grand Tour. However, he endured a disappointing world championships last month, finishing 15th.
Despite his recent setbacks, Seixas bounced back with a bronze medal in the world championships time-trial. He also had an impressive run at the Giro di Lombardia, where he outpaced his competitors to take the top spot. Vuelta a Espana champion Enric Mas finished second, 48 seconds behind Seixas, while Italian Giulio Ciccone rounded out the podium just over a minute behind the winner.
Seixas's victory was marked by an impressive solo ride, where he never looked back after gaining a significant lead. He was chased by Tom Pidcock and Ciccone, but managed to stay ahead, crossing the finish line alone. The victory marked a remarkable achievement for Seixas, who has established himself as a rising star in the cycling world.
The Giro di Lombardia victory caps off an incredible season for Seixas, who has consistently impressed with his performances. With his teammates and supporters cheering him on, Seixas celebrated his historic win, which will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
Key points
- Paul Seixas becomes youngest Giro di Lombardia winner
- Seixas wins with devastating attack on Civiglio climb
- Seixas completes remarkable first full season in professional ranks
