Super-talented Paul Seixas wins the Flèche Wallonne

French super talent Paul Seixas stormed up the infamous Mur de Huy in the style of Tadej Pogacar and took the next prestigious victory in cycling. The 19-year-old won the 90th edition of the semi-classic Flèche Wallonne by a clear margin, making him the youngest winner of the traditional race. In the absence of superstar Pogacar, Seixas won ahead of Swiss rider Mauro Schmid and Brit Ben Tulett after the climb up the up to 19 per cent steep ramp to Huy.

"This is incredible, what a victory. Last year I was still watching the race on TV, now I'm standing on the podium," said Seixas.

The youngster thus continued his meteoric rise in cycling. Less than a fortnight ago, he had won the difficult Tour of the Basque Country ahead of Florian Lipowitz, after only being beaten by the Slovenian world champion Pogacar in the Strade Bianche gravel race.

On Sunday against Pogacar and Evenepoel

Pogacar, who won the Flèche for the second time last year, is currently focussing on the spring classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which he has already won three times. There he will meet Seixas again on Sunday, as will double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel. "Tadej is Tadej. I try to be as good as possible. I'll do my best," said Seixas.

While Seixas recently sought the decision early on in the Basque Country, he took a more cautious approach on the 1.4 kilometre long and 9.1 per cent steep climb to Huy, which had to be tackled a total of three times in the Flèche. The man from Lyon dominated the race from the front and only pulled away in the final 300 metres.

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