French cyclist Paul Seixas is set to contest the Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday, aiming to build on his recent form in the Ardennes classics. The 22-year-old, who rides for Team Arkéa Samsic, has emerged as one of France’s most promising prospects in one-day racing, with a victory in La Flèche Brabançonne last month and strong performances in the early spring classics.
Seixas finished eighth in the Amstel Gold Race last weekend, his best result in a WorldTour one-day race to date, and has been identified by team staff as a potential contender for mid-week Ardennes terrain. His climbing ability and late-race acceleration have drawn comparisons to past French successes on the Mur de Huy, the decisive climb that concludes the Flèche Wallonne.
He will face stiff competition from compatriot Julian Alaphilippe, the two-time world champion and three-time winner of the Flèche Wallonne, who remains a dominant force on the Huy despite a quieter start to the 2024 season. Alaphilippe, riding for Soudal Quick-Step, has targeted the race as a key objective and has logged specific training sessions on the climb in recent weeks.
Other French riders entered include Benoît Cosnefroy of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, who placed second in La Flèche Brabançonne behind Seixas, and Valentin Madouas of Groupama-FDJ, both of whom have shown consistent form in the Ardennes this spring. Cosnefroy finished sixth in the Amstel Gold Race, while Madouas was tenth in Liège–Bastogne–Liège last year and aims to improve on that result.
The race, organized by Amaury Sport Organisation, will cover 200.5 kilometres from Bastogne to Huy, featuring three ascents of the Mur de Huy, with the final climb coming after 195 kilometres. The Mur averages 9.3% gradient over 1.3 kilometres, with sections exceeding 20%, and has historically favoured puncheurs and classics specialists.
Team Arkéa Samsic has confirmed Seixas will start the race, with sport director Yvon Ledanois stating in a pre-race briefing that the rider is “in decent shape and ready to play his cards” on the final ascent. No further tactical details were disclosed.
As of Tuesday evening, no withdrawals or changes to the French contingent have been reported by race officials or participating teams. The Flèche Wallonne is scheduled to begin at 11:45 CEST, with the finish on the Mur de Huy expected around 17:15 CEST.
