Matteo Jorgenson Pummeled by Rising Star Paul Seixas

Matteo Jorgenson may be one of the best riders in pro cycling, but the up and coming 19 year old Paul Seixas gave the American rider something of a hammering on Saturday, thus underlining why there is so much fuss about the young Frenchman.

Seixas is mentioned by some as the rider who might finally end his country’s 41 year wait for another Tour de France win. That remains premature, given his age and the fact that he is yet to start a grand tour, but his class was clear in the Faun-Ardèche Classic.

Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) won the race with a 41.8 km solo ride, dropping Jorgenson and hitting the line 1:48 clear of the American, runner-up Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious).

Jorgenson was fourth and will doubtlessly relay the details of what happened to the Jumbo-Visma Tour de France leader Jonas Vingegaard.

And Seixas? He took the first pro win of his career nine days ago when he won stage 2 of the Volta ao Algarve. His second has arrived just over a week later.

“It was incredible. I felt amazing all day,” he said. “On the climbs, I felt really comfortable and I barely had to exert myself. The team positioned me perfectly at the foot of the Saint-Romain-de-Lerps climb, and then everything just fell into place.

“Honestly, I wasn’t necessarily planning on going it alone, but I quickly realized I had the legs to try something.”

‘One rider was by far the strongest today’

Seixas made his first surge with 44.6km to go, hitting the front on the Saint-Romain-de-Lerps climb and dragging Christen, Martinez and Jorgenson clear. Only Jorgenson could hang on, but was hurting to do so. The American cracked with 41.8km to go and the 19 year old rode clear.

Seixas drove onwards towards the finish, with the three riders joining forces behind but still finishing almost two minutes behind. It was the first race of the season for Jorgenson and while he is likely missing some sharpness, he will still have been very impressed by what he saw.

Jorgenson rode strongly towards the line and led out the sprint, although the other two were able to edge past.

“I look back with satisfaction on the race we rode,” said Visma-Lease a Bike directeur sportif Frans Maassen. “Matteo, Davide [Pignzoli] and Ben [Tulett] rode a very strong race. Compliments as well to Tim Rex, who did a tremendous amount of work.

“Unfortunately, one rider was by far the strongest today, but we can be satisfied with the way we raced.”

‘I’m taking a step forward’

Given his age and what he has achieved thus far, Seixas is predicted to have a huge future. He is being compared to the last French Tour winner Bernard Hinault and also to Tadej Pogačar. He’ll shrug off comparisons for now, being determined to keep his feet on the ground amid the hype.

What’s important is to keep working hard in advance of upcoming rides in Strade Bianche, Itzulia Basque Country, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

“This success isn’t just mine. It belongs to the whole team. We completed a very demanding training camp in the Sierra Nevada,” he said. “My coach prepared me perfectly, and I had an excellent winter.

“I feel like I’m taking a step forward and gaining momentum. Today, the teamwork paid off.”

Seixas’ previous results include two stage wins and overall victory in the 2025 Tour de l’Avenir, as well as third behind Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel at the European championships.

He had a big reason to be motivated on Saturday.

“My parents and my girlfriend were there, and it was my father’s birthday. During the toughest moments, especially in the Val d’Enfer, I thought of them.

“It was extremely hard, but this victory is worth every bit of it.”

He’s not due to ride Sunday’s Faun Drôme Classic, but Jorgenson is listed to take part. He’ll hope for another strong showing and, with a little extra sharpness and with Seixas absent, may find things more to his liking.