Paul Seixas makes major race schedule change ahead of Il Lombardia

The Decathlon CMA CGM rider claimed bronze at last year's European Championships after an impressive ride in the Drôme-Ardèche, finishing behind Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel.

This year, however, Seixas will not return for another shot at the continental title. Instead, the 19-year-old has chosen to prioritise Il Lombardia, which takes place one week later.

His team informed French national coach Thomas Voeckler of the decision, with Voeckler stressing that it was not prompted by the changing field or Pogačar's absence.

"Paul has set his sights on the Il Lombardia, another week later. He wants to prepare for that race as well as possible, and so he has decided, in mutual agreement with his entourage, to skip the European Championships," Voeckler told HLN, adding that the decision had been made internally before Pogačar withdrew from the Vuelta a España.

Pogačar crashed out of that race on stage 8 with a concussion, a fractured collarbone, and a fractured vertebra, and has since been ruled out for the rest of the season. The Slovenian is the reigning European champion after taking the 2025 title with a remarkable 75 kilometre solo attack.

The absence of both Pogačar and Seixas could further open up the European road race for Evenepoel, who has made the title one of his major remaining objectives.

In the time trial, the Belgian has already completed the full set of national, European, world and Olympic titles. On the road, the European Championship is the one major title still missing from that collection, and Evenepoel has made no secret of his desire to complete the set.

He highlighted that opportunity ahead of the Canadian races when asked what Pogačar's absence could mean for the remainder of the season.

"That applies to the European Championships as well. I thought of that immediately, because that prize is still missing from my palmarès," Evenepoel said.

Seixas, meanwhile, has enjoyed a breakthrough 2026 season. He finished second at both Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he was the only rider able to follow Pogačar's most damaging attacks.

He has also taken victories in the Basque Country and at La Flèche Wallonne, while producing a strong debut at the Tour de France.

Seixas will first lead the French team at the World Championships in Montréal on 27 September, where he will attempt to become the youngest men's road world champion in almost a century. Il Lombardia will then serve as the final major target of his season.