In a display of raw power and tactical audacity that drew immediate comparisons to the dominance of Tadej Pogačar, 19-year-old Paula Seixas delivered a masterclass in climbing and solo effort during a grueling stage from Pamplona-Iruña to Mendukilo Kobazuloa. The young French rider didn’t just secure a victory; she dismantled the competition, arriving at the finish line with a commanding lead that left the world’s top cyclists chasing shadows.
The stage, recognized as the second most difficult of the event, covered 164 kilometers and featured a punishing 3,191 meters of vertical gain. Although the day began with a seven-man breakaway—including riders from Visma | Lease a Bike, Soudal Quick-Step, and Movistar—the narrative shifted entirely when the race hit its most formidable ascent.
Seixas’ dominant performance was the result of a calculated, high-risk gamble. With 26 kilometers remaining, on the slopes of the day’s only category 1 climb—a 9.4-kilometer stretch averaging 7.9%—Seixas launched an attack that no one in the peloton could match. Supported by a blistering tempo set by her Decathlon CMA CGM teammates, she bridged the gap to the remnants of the breakaway and transitioned into a solo raid toward the summit.
A Tactical Masterclass on the Ascent
The sheer scale of the attack left the favorites reeling. Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe attempted to respond, but his efforts were insufficient to bridge the gap. As the race progressed toward the long descent preceding the final climb, a small group of five—including Lipowitz, Mads Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), and Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)—formed a desperate pursuit party.
Despite the chase, Seixas remained unfazed, maintaining her momentum even when encountering an unexpected obstacle—an unidentified man lying in the road at the start of the final ascent. She navigated the hazard without losing focus, powering through the final 3.5-kilometer irregular climb, where gradients spiked above 7% in the closing kilometer.
Seixas crossed the finish line with a staggering lead of 1 minute and 35 seconds. Behind her, a battle for the remaining podium spots unfolded on a narrow, fence-lined road. Mads Skjelmose eventually claimed second place, while Primoz Roglič of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe took third, utilizing a disciplined approach to manage his energy after Lipowitz had spent more of his reserves earlier in the stage.
Chaos in the Descent and the Cost of Risk
While Seixas enjoyed a triumphant ride, the descent was characterized by extreme risk. The narrow, twisting roads pushed riders to the absolute limit of their handling skills, creating a high-tension environment that proved disastrous for some. Approximately 10 kilometers from the finish, Mikel Landa of Soudal Quick-Step suffered a severe crash, leaving him stranded on the roadside under the care of medical staff.
The day also highlighted the struggling form of other favorites. Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) finished in a disappointing 12th place, appearing to struggle with his rhythm—a likely lingering effect of his forced withdrawal from UCI WorldTour events like Paris-Nice earlier in the season.
A Historic Sweep of the Jerseys
The victory has catapulted the 19-year-old into a position of unprecedented control. In a rare feat of versatility, Seixas now holds all four primary classification jerseys. This includes the mountain jersey, which she secured by a razor-thin margin of a single point over Joan Bou of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
More critically for the overall standings, Seixas has established a significant cushion in the General Classification (GC). She currently leads the race by 1 minute and 59 seconds over Primoz Roglič and 2 minutes and 8 seconds over Florian Lipowitz.
Bylo to v plánu. Možná bylo trochu ambiciózní zaútočit tak brzy, možná jsem také zaútočil o něco dřív, než jsem chtěl, ale vyhodnotil jsem ten okamžik jako nejlepší. Po dvou nebo třech minutách jsem toho už litoval, ale neměl jsem jinou možnost. Jel jsem na plné obrátky až do cíle. Dnes jsem měl skvělé nohy. Práce týmu byla také skvělá. Všichni kluci to dělali perfektně. Byli v čele, pracovali celý den. Pak získáš extra sílu,
Seixas remained humble despite the dominance, noting that the race is far from over. “Now I know that I have the level to win here,” she added, acknowledging that while the lead is controllable, every remaining day will present its own challenges.
Stage Summary and Standings
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winning Margin | 1:35 minutes |
| GC Lead (vs Roglič) | 1:59 minutes |
| Total Elevation | 3,191 meters |
| Key Climb | 9.4 km @ 7.9% |
The race now moves into its easiest profile stage tomorrow, covering 153 kilometers with 2,709 meters of elevation. However, the day will not be without a sting; the finish features a short but sharp climb of 1.2 kilometers at 6%, culminating in a final 400-meter stretch with a punishing gradient of 8.8%.
We invite you to share your thoughts on Seixas’ bold strategy in the comments below. Do you suppose the GC favorites can claw back nearly two minutes on the remaining terrain?
