Seixas stamps his authority on the Itzulia Basque Country with a queen stage victory

Paul Seixas of Decathlon-CMA CGM further cemented his dominance at the Itzulia Basque Country, claiming victory on Friday's queen stage, Stage 5. The Frenchman, already holding a significant general classification lead, collaborated with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) to drop the peloton on the Alto de Izua, ultimately soloing to the finish. This commanding performance underscores his current stranglehold on the race, with only one stage remaining.

This latest triumph is more than just another stage win; it’s a statement. Seixas, a rider whose reputation has been steadily building, is now converting potential into undeniable results on a challenging WorldTour-level stage race. His ability to not only defend a GC lead but actively extend it by winning the toughest stage speaks volumes about his form and tactical acumen. For Decathlon-CMA CGM, it signifies a significant return on investment and a potential future Grand Tour contender emerging from their ranks.

Seixas’s performance leaves little doubt about the eventual outcome. The only remaining question is by how much he’ll ultimately win, and which team will be kicking themselves for not signing him sooner.