lItzulia has not been just another test, it has been the confirmation of a rider who is called to dominate cycling for years to come. Paul Seixas’ results are not the result of chance, but of hard work that surprises all the members of the Decathlon CMA CGM. The Tour of the Algarve, the Faun-Ardèche and the Strade Bianche already hinted at it, but the Tour of the Basque Country has confirmed it: it is the future of world cycling.
As it is, his victory goes beyond having achieved his first WorldTour overall. With a lead of 2’30” over Florian Lipowitz, Seixas has fully entered the history of Itzulia, becoming the eighth rider in the Basque round to win with a wider margin of time —the first was Francis Pélissier with 14’54” in 1924—, a milestone that had only been achieved once in the 21st century.
The morning began with news that shook the peloton: Pello Bilbao announced his goodbye. “When I look back on my career, the first thing I think about is how lucky I was to be born in the Basque Country, a place where cycling is experienced in a very special way,” he confessed. Following this statement, the man from Guernica hinted at the reason for announcing his retirement from his home race, the one in which he has been happiest.
The goodbye of a reference: Pello Bilbao announces his retirement as a professional cyclist
The storm hit
The sixth stage of Itzulia gave no room for improvisation. With a leaden sky and a third-category climb in the first kilometers—Asentzio (4.6 km at 7.6%)—attacks were the order of the day and the demand was felt from the first ramps. However, It was not until the descent of said pass when a trio, composed of Soler, Healy and Skjelmose, took an advantage that, in the end, allowed them to consolidate a movement that was eventually joined by Peter Oxenberg and Juanpe López.
The race did not let up and the rain made an appearance. A second group, made up of 25 runners, managed to break away from the main split to put Decathlon in check. The difference increased progressively until it exceeded 4’00”, a point at which it ended up stabilizing during the halfway point of the test.
The second pass through Elosua unleashed everything, both at the head of the race and in the peloton. The attacks were constant and the harshness was evident. With 55 kilometers to go, Seixas, tired of waiting, took the initiative. For many it could have been considered daring, but not for him, who has arrived ready to change the rules of a game controlled by Tadej Pogacar. His pace was constant and forceful, which allowed him to catch runners as the kilometers passed; However, the exhibition had to be capitalized, something that, for him, was perhaps too much.
First WorldTour general classification
The rain increased its virulence and Seixas’ fire was extinguished, partly due to terrain that was not conducive to pursuit, especially considering that the responsibility fell solely on the man from Lyon.. Ambitious move, but without success. It remained to resist. However, with 15 kilometers to go, the good collaboration between the favorites allowed their adventure to be neutralized and the race was grouped again.
Itzulia classifications.
The last step through Asentzio completely changed the script. From the control imposed by the UAE we moved to a scenario of constant attacks in search of stage victory. In one of those movements, García Pierna and August proved to be the strongest and managed to open a gap, although the American had one more point. In a very delicate descent he managed to distance himself, and in the flat section he finished consolidating his advantage. Victory and celebration for INEOS. Behind, Seixas, without any problems, secured the yellow jersey and thus sealed his first WorldTour overall. A star that already shines in the sky.
