Matxin praises Seixas' Bastille Day display: 'Showing courage, conviction and talent'
While Tadej Pogacar claimed another statement victory in Le Lioran, Paul Seixas also caught the eye of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG general manager
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Matxin Joxean Fernandez stated, “the bad memory of Le Lioran is erased” as Pogačar claimed an emphatic third stage victory of the 2026 Tour de France on stage 10.
Two years after being caught and outsprinted in one of his only moments of vulnerability in recent Tour editions, Pogačar produced a clinical performance in front of the fervent French crowds on Bastille Day.
The world champion’s acceleration on the Col de Pertus proved unanswerable, and Pogačar was not to be seen by the competition until the finish, little under 16km later, tightening his grip on a potential fifth yellow jersey.
Matxin highlighted not only Pogačar’s individual star power but also the collective performance of the UAE team, who controlled the breakaway.
“Today, it’s impressive. The whole team is impressive, controlling the race in the final moments, the decision-making... great calls by the team,” Matxin told Cyclism'Actu.
“A great attitude from the UAE riders, hats off to them. The bad memory of Le Lioran is erased.”
It marks Pogačar’s 24th Tour stage win, and in the process, he became the first rider to win three stages of the Tour on July 14, and Matxin highlighted the importance of another exceptional victory.
In terms of the GC picture, the world champion has extended his already commanding lead over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) to 3:36.
While Pogačar was once more the main act, Matxin also praised the performances of those who trailed the world champion, battling it out for what seems to be the two remaining steps on the podium in Paris.
Matxin highlighted Seixas, who continued his steady rise up the GC ranks, with the 19-year-old moving up to fifth in the GC, 4:35 behind Pogačar, but within a minute of Vingegaard in second.
“I’m surprised by Decathlon and Paul Seixas; it’s impressive, showing courage, conviction, and talent. Hats off,” Matxin said.
Meanwhile, Evenepoel, who looked to be fading on the final categorised climb, the Col de Font de Cère, managed to recover in the closing kilometres to launch an explosive sprint to finish second on the stage, gaining time on all but Pogačar.
“It’s impressive, that’s the character of a true champion. I can’t wait to see what happens this weekend."
Result: Tour de France stage 10
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