Paul Seixas, 20, becomes the youngest winner of Il Lombardia
With Tadej Pogačar absent after five straight victories, the French rider soloed into Como for his first Monument, ahead of Enric Mas and Giulio Ciccone.
Paul Seixas won Il Lombardia on Saturday with a solo attack, becoming the youngest winner in the history of cycling’s final Monument of the season. The 20-year-old Frenchman, who rides for Decathlon CMA CGM, crossed the line alone in Como for his first win in one of the sport’s five Monuments.
Spain’s Enric Mas, who won the Vuelta a España last month, finished second and Italy’s Giulio Ciccone third. Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, the time-trial world champion, was fourth and Britain’s Tom Pidcock sixth, Cyclingnews reported.
The first Lombardia in six years without Pogačar
The 120th edition, from Bergamo to Como, was the first since 2020 not won by Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian won the race five years in a row from 2021 to 2025, but his season ended when he crashed out of the Vuelta in August with a broken collarbone and a fractured vertebra.
With no clear favourite, the race was open. Seixas went clear on the last circuit around Como, the course that includes the climbs of San Fermo della Battaglia and Civiglio, and none of the chasers could bring him back. Pidcock, who tried to follow the move, said afterwards: “I just went into the red and that was it.”
Seixas spoke afterwards about the rider he had not been able to race. “It’s a great dream to really be able to compete against Tadej Pogačar,” he said, according to Cyclingnews.
A breakthrough season
Seixas is one of the most-watched young riders in the sport. According to Olympics.com, his 2026 season already included wins at the Tour of the Basque Country and La Flèche Wallonne and second place at Liège–Bastogne–Liège. In February he won the Faun-Ardèche Classic alone, much as he did in Como.
Evenepoel, who had been expected to contend, said his form had faded: “I haven’t found my top form since the Tour de France.”
Pogačar, who has extended his contract with UAE Team Emirates XRG until 2032, is expected back next season. When the two finally meet in Lombardy, both will be past winners of the race.
