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19-Year-Old Paul Seixas Wins La Flèche, Youngest Ever

4/24/2026

Summary

Seixas Wins

Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) won the 2026 La Flèche Wallonne on April 22, finishing in 4:35:29, three seconds ahead of Mauro Schmid.
At 19, he became the youngest winner in the race’s 90-year history and the second debut victor.
He rode the Mur de Huy in 2 minutes 43 seconds, three seconds faster than Tadej Pogacar’s best.
The win was his seventh of the season and makes him a top-three favourite for Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Summary

Wallonne Race Begins

The women's La Flèche Wallonne began in Huy, while the men's race started in Herstal.
The race will be broadcast on HBO Max (UK), Peacock (US), FloBikes (Canada), SBS on Demand (Australia) and Eurosport (Europe).
Forecasts called for mild 16 °C temperatures and light wind, an improvement over the previous two editions.
A full-strength 148.2 km peloton, featuring defending champion Puck Pieterse and past winners, tackled two 1.3 km Mur de Huy climbs at an average 9.5 % gradient.

History

Historical Context

La Flèche Wallonne, first held in 1936, has become a key event in professional cycling, showcasing talent and endurance. The race, part of the UCI World Tour, has seen champions like Puck Pieterse and recently, Paul Seixas, who at 19 became the youngest winner in 2026. Its ongoing global broadcast partnerships underscore its significant role in the sport's evolution.

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Seixas Wins

Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) won the 2026 La Flèche Wallonne on April 22, finishing in 4:35:29, three seconds ahead of Mauro Schmid.
At 19, he became the youngest winner in the race’s 90-year history and the second debut victor.
He rode the Mur de Huy in 2 minutes 43 seconds, three seconds faster than Tadej Pogacar’s best.
The win was his seventh of the season and makes him a top-three favourite for Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

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