Cycling: Paul Seixas Scores Second Professional Victory at Faun-Ardèche Classic

Saturday's competition at the Faun-Ardèche Classic 2026 provided cycling fans with immense excitement, and its undisputed hero was Paul Seixas. The French rider, who only recently joined the professional ranks, displayed form worthy of the most experienced leaders in the peloton. The race, characterized by a demanding route and numerous climbs in the Ardèche department, was an excellent opportunity to test riders' form at the start of the season. Seixas not only met expectations but outright dominated the competition, which French media describe as a "steamroller mode." His victory is all the more significant as it was achieved in a style increasingly rare in modern cycling – through a long, solo breakaway that dashed his rivals' hopes of final success. This spectacular achievement is already the second triumph for Paul Seixas in the last ten days, indicating exceptional consistency in his form. Experts and sports journalists covering the event highlight the remarkable tactical maturity of the nineteen-year-old. Instead of waiting for a sprint finish from a smaller group, Seixas bet on aggressive riding in difficult terrain. The lead he built over the chasing peloton allowed him to safely enter the final kilometers of the route and celebrate his win in front of the gathered crowd. This race was part of the broader Boucles Drôme-Ardèche series, which traditionally attracts a strong field and serves as an important indicator ahead of the spring classics and grand tours. The classic races in the Rhône-Alpes region have for decades served as a testing ground for young talents of French cycling, and the tradition of the Faun-Ardèche Classic dates back to the beginning of the 21st century, evolving from local competitions to an important point on the UCI calendar.Seixas's success raises hopes for a renaissance of French road cycling, which has for years been searching for someone who could consistently land on the podiums of the world's most important events. His riding style, based on courage and excellent endurance preparation, makes him currently mentioned as one of the most promising riders of the young generation. It is worth noting that media interest in this start was record-breaking, as evidenced by numerous television broadcasts and live reports that accompanied the event from the early morning hours. The Frenchman's upcoming starts will now be under close scrutiny from both fans and competitors, who must reckon with a new, incredibly strong rival. Victory in the Ardèche Classic definitively closes the adaptation stage for Seixas to the professional level, making him a full-fledged favorite for the upcoming starts of the 2026 season. „C'est un sentiment incroyable de gagner ici de cette manière. Une deuxième victoire en si peu de temps me donne beaucoup de confiance pour la suite de la saison.” — Paul Seixas