Seixas becomes a reference after beating Roglic, Del Toro, and Ayuso in the Itzulia time trial

The Itzulia 2026 has kicked off with a show of authority that transcends a simple stage victory. Paul Seixas, at just 19 years old, has delivered a performance in Bilbao that immediately changes the hierarchy of the race and sends a direct message to the big names of the peloton.

Seixas' definitive leap after defeating Roglic, Del Toro, and Ayuso in the time trial of Itzulia 2026

The young Frenchman from Decathlon dominated the opening time trial, a 13.8-kilometer course with a deceptive and very demanding profile, especially due to the initial climb to Alto de Santo Domingo and the explosive finish. From the first splits, he made it clear that it was not going to be just another day. His time at the first checkpoint already marked significant differences, and instead of faltering, he maintained the pace with a maturity beyond his years, finishing strongly on the last climb.

The result was decisive. Seixas takes the stage with a time of 17 minutes and 9 seconds, opening serious gaps over the favorites for the overall. Primoz Roglic lost 28 seconds, Isaac Del Toro lost 51, and Juan Ayuso finished completely detached over a minute behind, in a day that clearly affects their aspirations from the very first day.

Beyond the differences, what caught attention was the manner. Seixas managed the effort with precision, maintained speed on the descent, and still had room to accelerate in the final meters, even catching up to riders who had started before him. The sensation was that of a cyclist who not only had the best legs but also total control of the effort.

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After the stage, Seixas himself acknowledged that everything had gone according to plan. He explained that the pace was perfectly calculated and that the team's prior work had been crucial to execute the plan without errors. He also made it clear that the advantage gained is important but insufficient to become complacent in a race that has only just begun.

The overall standings are now led by the Frenchman, followed by Kévin Vauquelin at 23 seconds and Felix Grossschartner at 27. Roglic is in fourth place, while names like Van Wilder and Lipowitz also remain in a competitive zone. Further back, there are already significant losses for riders who started as clear contenders.

Seixas' performance is not an isolated event. The Frenchman had already shown signs at the start of the season, with victories in Algarve and Ardèche and a second place in Strade Bianche, only surpassed by Pogacar. This is complemented by a recent history that includes titles in lower categories and notable results in top-level events despite his youth.

France is once again looking with hope at a rider capable of breaking a historic drought in the Tour, although that scenario is still far off. The immediate focus is on Itzulia, where Seixas positions himself as the absolute reference after the first day.

Top 10 Itzulia 2026 stage 1 and overall after the time trial in Bilbao

1. Paul Seixas (Decathlon) 17’09”
2. Kévin Vauquelin (Ineos) at 23”
3. Felix Grossschartner (UAE) at 27”
4. Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora) at 28”
5. Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal) at 29”
6. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora) at 33”
7. Andrew August (Ineos) at 40”
8. Brandon McNulty (UAE) at 43”
9. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) at 45”
10. Michael Leonard (EF Education) at 46”

The race now enters a completely different terrain. The second stage will take the peloton into the mountains with a demanding finish after passing through San Miguel de Aralar. It will be the first real test to see if this dominance against the clock continues when the road tilts.