Paul Seixas plays the role of Pogacar in the Itzulia: he wins stage 2 with a long-range attack and seals half the race

Paul Seixas has not only confirmed his leadership in the Itzulia 2026 but has also taken a significant step further in the second stage. The Frenchman turned the mountain stage between Pamplona and Bergara into an individual exhibition that puts the race in a very favorable position with just a third of the week completed.

Seixas's dominance grows with a ride in stage 2 that leaves the favorites with no options

The stage presented the first major test for the contenders, with over 3,000 meters of elevation gain and the demanding pass through San Miguel de Aralar as a key point. There, the Decathlon team took control with a selective pace that reduced the group of favorites to a very limited selection. Among the first victims of the race's hardening was Juan Ayuso, who could not keep up with the pace and was dropped very early in the decisive climb.

The key moment came with about 26 kilometers to go. Seixas launched a dry attack, without hesitation, and opened a gap in a matter of meters. No one could react decisively. Neither Primoz Roglic, nor Isaac Del Toro, nor the other contenders managed to organize an effective chase. The advantage began to grow steadily, first on the ascent and then on the long descent, where the Frenchman also demonstrated absolute control of the bike.

RUN TO ATTACK AND TO WIN. HE WAS BORN TO SHINE.

Paul Seixas moves up the climb to San Miguel de Aralar and can deliver a decisive blow to the general classification.#itzulia2026 pic.twitter.com/r8G1svhtMp

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) April 7, 2026

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From there, the race was completely shattered. Behind, the movements among the favorites were intermittent and uncoordinated, allowing Seixas to extend his lead to very difficult-to-recover figures in a race of this profile. In the chasing group, Mattias Skjelmose and Roglic were the most consistent, accompanied by a solid Cian Uijtdebroeks, who delivered one of the standout performances of the day.

Far from falling apart after his effort, Seixas maintained his concentration even in delicate moments, such as when he had to dodge a spectator on the road in the final stretch. Nothing disrupted his performance. The Frenchman crossed the finish line solo after more than four hours of effort, with a lead of about a minute and a half over his main rivals.

The victory reinforces his leadership and considerably widens the gaps in the general classification. With the bonuses included, the margin is now around two minutes, a very significant distance considering the control he has shown on all terrains. Roglic and Skjelmose remain the main pursuers, while names like Del Toro or Ayuso are clearly affected after these first two stages.

Beyond the result, what this stage leaves is a feeling of unusual dominance. Seixas has not only won; he has imposed his pace on the climbs, extended his lead on the descents, and managed a demanding finish with skill. All of this in a stage designed for the favorites to measure their strengths, but which ended up becoming a demonstration of superiority.

The Itzulia now enters a phase where the rest of the peloton will have to rethink the race. Attacking from afar, hardening each stage, or seeking alliances will be almost mandatory if they want to challenge a leadership that, after just two days, already seems firmly established.

Top 10 stage 2 Itzulia 2026

1. Paul Seixas (Decathlon) 4h 11’48”
2. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) at 1’25”
3. Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora) at 1’25”
4. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar) at 1’25”
5. Ben Tulett (Visma) at 1’25”
6. Alex Baudin (EF Education) at 1’25”
7. Ion Izagirre (Cofidis) at 1’25”
8. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora) at 1’25”
9. Clément Champoussin (XDS Astana) at 1’31”
10. Harold Tejada (XDS Astana) at 1’43”

Top 10 general Itzulia 2026 after stage 2

1. Paul Seixas (Decathlon) 4h 28’47”
2. Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora) at 1’59”
3. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora) at 2’08”
4. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) at 2’14”
5. Ben Tulett (Visma) at 2’27”
6. Alex Baudin (EF Education) at 2’31”
7. Ion Izagirre (Cofidis) at 2’36”
8. Isaac Del Toro (UAE) at 2’44”
9. Harold Tejada (XDS Astana) at 2’48”
10. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar) at 3’01”