Paul Seixas said Isaac del Toro physically blocked him multiple times as Tadej Pogačar was getting clear solo (Photo: Massimo Paolone)
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) put in a storming ride at Strade Bianche (1.UWT) to take 2nd place behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). It was a remarkable performance for the teenager making his debut in such a demanding race.
However, while the French 19-year-old has confirmed his standing as one of the best riders in the world, and maybe cycling's most exciting prospect, he also said Pogačar had an asset in team mate Isaac del Toro physically blocking behind him.
When Pogačar took off on his own, on the Monte Sante Marie gravel sector with 80km to go, Seixas said he tried to go after him. But he claimed he was blocked by del Toro multiple times. He also said the Mexican of braking, to allow gaps open in front of him and ensuring Seixas had to close them.
Advertisement
"This is the best result I could get today," Seixas said of finishing 1:00 down on the winner, but nine seconds up on del Toro, after distancing him on the climb into the finish in Sienna. "Tadej Pogačar racing the same way he did in 2024 and 2025, he’s one step ahead of the others.
"I’m really happy to be second today. It’s just insane to be here. It was a bit strange when Pogačar attacked. I tried to follow Pidcock and del Toro tried to block me, not once or twice but three times," he said.
Related News
“(Pogačar) attacked just ahead of a descent. They played the team card. Del Toro was blocking. He really didn’t want me to get past. I was going by him, he was going by me, and he was braking in front of me.
"I lost a bit of time on the descent, then I had to plug the hole that he had made. I was stuck and that’s the game they chose to play so I had to try and bridge the gap. But just a 20 metres gap to Pogačar is too much.
"I’ve tried to get back on his wheel. I’ve been very close but there were 500 metres of climbing too much for me. I could see he was managing his effort. He looked back and just didn’t want to have me on his wheel. After this, it was very hard."
However, despite the comments of braking - which was designed to force Seixas to close gaps that opened, not to make him crash - Seixas seemed to accept it was team tactics. He also praised del Toro, at least made a remark about his abilities, when he said he felt "incredible" to be able to beat him for 2nd place.
For his part, del Toro made no reference to any blocking or braking tactics on behalf of his team mate, saying instead he was "super happy to be in this position at the end" and praising Seixas.
"It’s so nice to get the victory with the team, I’m proud to be part of this. I was supposed to be a little bit in front of Tadej but he decided to go early. Paul Seixas was very impressive. He’s a really good rider.
"He showed before that he’s at a super high level, I’m super happy to race against guys like him. Hopefully one day in my career, I’ll win Strade Bianche. I really like this place where I took the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d’Italia last year".
