Paul Seixas claims Del Toro was ‘blocking’ him as Pogačar made race-winning attack, but ‘no regrets’ after sensational Strade Bianche debut

Nineteen-year-old French prodigy Paul Seixas, making his Strade Bianche debut, finished an impressive ninth, precisely one minute behind solo victor Tadej Pogačar. Seixas, who races for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Development, publicly stated that Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) had "blocked" him on the Monte Sante Marie sector, preventing him from following Pogačar's decisive attack. Despite this, Seixas maintained "no regrets" about his sensational performance.

This incident, if Seixas's account is accurate, highlights the brutal tactical nuances of Strade Bianche and the cut-throat nature of Grand Tour-level racing, even for development riders. Del Toro, a teammate of Pogačar, would naturally prioritize his leader's success, making any perceived obstruction a calculated, if controversial, move. For Seixas, this debut signals a significant talent, demonstrating he can contend at the highest level, even if the result was tinged with what he believes was a missed opportunity.

Ultimately, Seixas's "no regrets" rings a little hollow when paired with his specific accusation. One minute, indeed, can be the difference between a promising debut and a legendary one, especially when a rival's teammate is involved.