Paul Seixas narrowly misses Mur de Huy record despite dominant Flèche Wallonne win

The Mur de Huy has long served as the decisive point of La Flèche Wallonne, with its history reflected in the times recorded on its slopes. Davide Rebellin set a benchmark of 2:45 in 2007, with Philippe Gilbert going one second faster in 2011. 

More recent editions have typically been won in the mid to high 2:40 range, including 2:46 efforts from Tadej Pogačar in 2023, Dylan Teuns in 2022 and Cadel Evans in 2010, while Marc Hirschi recorded 2:47 in 2020.

Seixas’ 2:43 now ranks among the fastest ascents in the climb’s history, reinforcing the scale of his breakthrough performance. The decisive move came on the steepest section after the S Bend, in less than ideal conditions with a cross headwind from the left, where he launched a sustained acceleration that none of his rivals could match, riding clear all the way to the finish.

While the record ultimately remained out of reach (he did take the Strava KOM), the ride confirmed why Seixas is widely regarded as France’s leading prospect to follow in the footsteps of Bernard Hinault. Still only 19, he has already begun to translate potential into results at the highest level.

His next test comes quickly at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he is set to line up against established stars including Remco Evenepoel and Pogačar, in what will present a very different challenge.