France has gone wild about Paul Seixas after his excellent efficiency and third place finally week’s European Championships, elevating hopes that the 19-year-old tremendous expertise may be simply as spectacular on his debut in a Monument Basic at Il Lombardia.
The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale teenager will finish his debut season at WorldTour degree on Saturday, attempting to go together with Tadej Pogačar’s decisive assault and at the least end within the prime ten in Bergamo.
“The workforce’s aim is to purpose for a prime 10. Personally, I am going to see how I really feel, it is my debut in a Monument Basic,” Seixas mentioned in a video name with French media and Cyclingnews.
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“The 2 largest favourites are clearly Pogi and Remco. UAE even have Isaac Del Toro, who’s very sturdy for the time being, however there are lots of opponents, which is regular, it is a Monument.
“I desire to give attention to how I really feel. I really feel good. I used to be frightened about if I might recovered after the European Championships and the World Championships as a result of they had been robust however after I did the recon I felt good, so I am optimistic for Il Lombardia.”
Pogačar is predicted to assault on the Passo di Ganda, with 40km to race, as he did in 2021 and 2023 when he received two of his 4 Il Lombardia victories. Remco Evenepoel hopes to take him on and even beat him. Seixas hopes to be there too.
“If I’ve the legs, I am going to attempt to go together with him! If I do not, I will not be capable to,” Seixas mentioned with logic past his years.
“It is a race that is determined by no matter you will have in your legs, so there isn’t any secret. Using on the entrance with the elite of the peloton offers me confidence. I do know I’ve the extent to be there, to affect the race, however we’ll see what occurs on the day.”
Seixas proved he’s not afraid of lengthy, laborious races like Il Lombardia. The Rwanda World Championships had been longer, tougher and raced at altitude in humid circumstances. Seixas finally completed thirteenth, 9 minutes down on Pogačar, however was not afraid to tackle the race.
He can anticipate to be a part of any key choice and maybe a part of a bunch of riders who race for the rostrum locations behind Pogačar and Evenepoel.
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“We noticed the 120km in the course of the recon on Thursday and it is a climbers race, so it fits me,” he mentioned.
“There are climbs, descents after which the valley street earlier than Bergamo. It is for a great climber but in addition for a great descender, who has a punch for the end too. I am blissful to be right here for my first Monument with the workforce. It will be an important expertise.”
No matter his ultimate lead to Bergamo, Seixas has loved a profitable, breakthrough first season.
He was eighth on the Critérium du Dauphiné, in opposition to Pogačar and different riders getting ready for the Tour de France. He then overcame sickness to organize properly and win the Tour de l’Avenir with a dominant experience within the ultimate mountain time trial stage. Then got here his experience in Rwanda and his assault on the ultimate climb of the European championships to safe the bronze medal behind Pogačar and Evenepoel.
“My season has already been a hit. I ticked all of the packing containers I needed, and much more,” he mentioned.
“I needed to be taught, to get some outcomes if attainable. Ultimately, I realized rather a lot, I gained lots of expertise, and I obtained some superb outcomes. It is higher than what I imagined.
“Once you race in opposition to Pogačar, you’re taking a little bit of a slap within the face. But when the slaps are like that, that is superb with me!”
