Paul Seixas withdraws from European Championships

Paul Seixas will miss the European road race in Ljubljana in early October, postponing his bid for a European title until 2027. The French rider has chosen to adjust his programme with the Tour of Lombardy as a priority, despite Tadej Pogacar’s absence from the event.

Seixas finished third at last year’s European Championships, behind Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, earning the first individual medal of his professional career at a major international competition. He arrives at the autumn after placing fourth in the Tour de France and winning the Flèche Wallonne. His silver medal at the world time trial championships came in a mixed relay, rather than an individual race.

France national team coach Thomas Voeckler said Seixas and his staff made the decision before Pogacar ended his season following a crash at the Vuelta. The Slovenian’s withdrawal therefore did not influence the French rider’s plans. Seixas will instead lead France at the World Championships in Canada, which begin on 20 September, with the road race scheduled for 27 September in Montreal. The revised calendar is designed to give him the best preparation for the Tour of Lombardy.