Paul Seixas Claims Second Successive Stage at Basque Country Tour
In a remarkable display of cycling prowess, French talent Paul Seixas emerged victorious in the second stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, solidifying his position at the forefront of the competition. Seixas executed a decisive attack approximately 6.6 kilometers from the peak of San Miguel de Aralar, crossing the finish line a significant 1 minute and 25 seconds ahead of Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose, with the highly-rated Slovenian Primož Roglič trailing close behind in third place.
Stunning Climb and Tactical Brilliance
The 164.1-kilometer stage, which commenced in Pamplona and concluded at Cuevas de Mendukilo, featured a challenging route that included a variety of climbs. Seixas had previously clinched the leader’s jersey after an impressive performance in the initial time trial held in Bilbao, becoming the first French cyclist to win a WorldTour time trial since 2021.
Characterized by steep gradients, the stage commenced with a second-category climb at Etxauri, followed by successive third-category ascents at Zuarrarrate and Aldatz. The final challenge was the formidable San Miguel de Aralar, a first-category ascent stretching 9.4 kilometers at an average gradient of 7.8%.
A Breakaway to Remember
As Seixas approached the final 6.6 kilometers of San Miguel de Aralar, he accelerated decisively, breaking away from his rivals. Despite Mattias Skjelmose’s attempts to latch onto Seixas’s momentum, he soon conceded, as did other competitors including Florian Lipowitz, Isaac del Toro, and Juan Ayuso.
Upon reaching the summit, Seixas held a commanding 54-second lead over Skjelmose with 19.5 kilometers remaining, which included both a descent and an uphill section towards the finish line. Meanwhile, Mikel Landa faced misfortune as he suffered a heavy crash, diminishing his chances in the race.
Seixas Extends Overall Lead
In the final 8% gradient climb, Seixas maintained his pace, ultimately sealing his victory 1 minute and 25 seconds ahead of Skjelmose, while Roglič secured third place. This win not only marked a significant achievement for Seixas but also allowed him to extend his overall lead in the standings to 1 minute and 59 seconds over Roglič, with German cyclist Florian Lipowitz trailing another nine seconds behind in third position.
