Paul Seixas thrived int the chaos of the men's elite European Championship road race. The 19-year-old French sensation step onto the podium alongside Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. His performance gives him, I believe, the next star of the sport. The French have been waiting for a champion and he could be just it.
With home crowds cheering him on, Seixas fought his way to a stunning bronze medal, surpassing more experienced riders in his wake. Seixas was in the chase group behind Pogacar's attack, refused to work and as soon as Evenepoel launched his pursuit of Pogacar, Seixas was in a battle with Christian Scaroni for the final podium. A see-saw fight between the two was a battle of attrition and Seixas opened a 20-meter gap. It was enough, Seixas crossed the finish line in third place, in front of the home crowd, a famous French victory.
"I must have attacked ten times. I was completely on the limit and just kept trying. I just left everything out there. When I saw a 20-meter gap open, I was super motivated... but I was still scared he might come back, especially in a sprint. So I just tore myself to pieces to hold it.
The crowd pushed me to my absolute limits. They carried me through this race - every metre, I'll never forget today. I still don't think it's sunk in. To be up there with guys like that... it's the stuff of childhood dreams. And today, that dream came true."
-Paul Seixas
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