Seixas sends message to rivals - 'I just wanted to take time and give them a small mental blow'

While Aranburu edged Tobias Johannessen in a tense finale from the breakaway, Seixas was once again at the centre of the race’s tactical battle. The young Frenchman faced repeated pressure from the Red Bull led opposition but didn't crack.

“I knew they might try something today,” he said afterwards to CyclingPro.net. “Honestly, I didn’t expect attacks from that far out, but I stayed in control. I didn’t panic. I wanted to keep something for the final.”

A large breakaway of more than 30 riders went clear early, featuring dangerous names like Marc Soler, Magnus Cort, Quinn Simmons and Ben Healy, while Brandon McNulty briefly threatened with a solo move. Behind, Seixas’ Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale Team teammates kept things firmly under control, guiding their leader smoothly through the stage.

“I never had a moment where I felt lost in the peloton,” Seixas explained. “The team did an exceptional job. I was never alone, and that allowed me to save energy for the end.”

That control carried into the decisive phase on the Vivero climb, where attacks came from all sides, including Florian Lipowitz, but Seixas covered every move with ease. Then came the moment that defined his day.

Having reconnoitred the course beforehand, Seixas identified the final descent as an opportunity. As the GC group hesitated, he committed. “I knew the descent, we had done it with the team,” he said. “I thought I could try something there, because not everyone is as comfortable downhill.”

Seixas carved through the sweeping Basque roads, opening a small but meaningful gap before the finish.

“I didn’t take crazy risks,” he added. “It’s psychological, descending. Right now I feel really comfortable. I knew there were no traps, just good corners where I could make the difference.”

By the line, the race leader had gained another handful of seconds on his closest rivals, extending his advantage over Primož Roglič to well over two minutes.

“I didn’t care about the stage today,” Seixas explained his move afterwards. “I just wanted to take time and maybe give them a small mental blow, to show it won’t be that easy.”

Up the road, Aranburu delivered for the home crowd, using his own knowledge of the terrain to outmanoeuvre Johannessen before unleashing a powerful sprint. But the broader narrative of the race continues to orbit around Seixas.

With the decisive stage around Eibar looming, his confidence is unmistakable. “They haven’t really managed to make me crack so far,” he said. “I feel strong, I recover well. We’ll see tomorrow.”