On April 22, 2026, the 90th edition of La Flèche Wallonne concluded successfully in the Wallonia region of Belgium. As a pivotal stage of the Ardennes Classics, this 208.8-kilometer spring classic culminated in an epic showdown on the iconic steep slope, the Mur de Huy. Nineteen-year-old French cyclist Paul Seixas made an immediate impact in his debut, securing a dominant victory with a 3-second margin over Swiss rider Mauro Schmidt and British cyclist Ben Tulett, rewriting the 90-year history of the event by becoming its youngest-ever champion.
This year's race witnessed significant lineup changes, with top contenders Tadej Pogačar and Olympic double gold medalist Remco Evenepoel both absent, focusing on preparing for the upcoming Liège–Bastogne–Liège. Notable riders such as Juan Ayuso and Tom Pidcock were also absent, creating an opportunity for the younger generation to shine.
The race route underwent optimizations, with the Tranchent slope and Forges slope replacing classic segments in the first half. In the middle section, riders faced the classic loop consisting of the Ereffe slope, Chelaf slope, and Mur de Huy three times, accumulating nearly 3,000 meters of climbing and posing a severe challenge to their endurance and explosive power. The Mur de Huy, stretching 1.3 kilometers with an average gradient of 9.6% and a maximum gradient nearing 20%, remained the ultimate battleground for determining the champion.
The race commenced at 11:50 AM local time, with a six-man breakaway group initially establishing a two-minute lead before being gradually reeled in by the peloton. The Decathlon CMA CGM team maintained steady control throughout, creating optimal attacking conditions for Seixas. In the decisive moment, Seixas launched a powerful attack in the final 200 meters of the Mur de Huy, crossing the finish line in 4 hours, 35 minutes, and 29 seconds to secure victory with a stable performance.
French cyclists demonstrated formidable team strength, occupying five spots in the top ten and sweeping the field with a youthful storm. Seixas also became only the second cyclist in history, after Marc Hirschi, to win on debut. Just two weeks prior, he had claimed the overall title at the Tour of the Basque Country, indicating a continuous upward trajectory in his competitive form. After the race, he admitted that he had watched the event on television last year and now stood on the podium, marking a significant breakthrough in his career. Three-time champion Julian Alaphilippe, unfortunately, withdrew due to injury on the penultimate lap.
With La Flèche Wallonne concluded, the final stage of the Ardennes Classics—Liège–Bastogne–Liège—is set to commence on April 26. The newly crowned champion Seixas will face the ultimate test, competing alongside top riders Pogačar and Evenepoel in a showdown that will serve as a key test of the emerging generation's strength.
The 2026 La Flèche Wallonne witnessed the rise of a new generation of cyclists. At 19, Seixas has etched his name into history with his strength, showcasing the youthful energy and boundless potential of road cycling to the world.
