Paul Seixas, 20, becomes youngest Il Lombardia winner with solo Civiglio attack as Enric Mas takes second

Paul Seixas has written himself into cycling history. The 20-year-old Frenchman attacked on the Civiglio about 20km from the finish and rode alone into Como to win Il Lombardia on Saturday 10 October. He is the youngest winner of the season's final Monument, and he gave Decathlon CMA CGM the team's first win in one of cycling's five biggest one-day races. Spain's Enric Mas was second at 48 seconds, with Italy's Giulio Ciccone third at 1:05.

How the race was won

The 239km route from Bergamo to Como took in nine climbs, and the pace was punishing from the start. Inrng put the average speed about 1.5km/h above the similar 2022 edition. An early group of around 30 was brought back. Uno-X's Johannes Kulset then helped form a 14-rider break, and Matteo Jorgenson of Visma-Lease a Bike went on the attack on the Madonna del Ghisallo with Quinn Simmons, Brandon McNulty and Christian Scaroni. Decathlon and Red Bull reeled them all in.

The race was decided on the Civiglio, a 4.2km climb averaging close to 10 per cent. Seixas accelerated from the saddle first, then stood on the pedals. Isaac del Toro and McNulty were dropped, Tom Pidcock held on for a while before cracking, and only Mas stayed with him for a time. Seixas went over the top about 20 seconds clear, stretched that on the San Fermo della Battaglia and never looked like being caught on the run into Como. His winning time was 5:49:28.

A wide-open race without Pogacar

Tadej Pogacar had won the previous five editions but was not on the start line in 2026, so the race had no clear favourite. Remco Evenepoel and Del Toro were the names most often mentioned beforehand. Evenepoel was with the leaders on the climbs but could not answer the decisive move and finished fourth at 1:20. Del Toro, who had spoken before the race about a knee problem, faded on the Civiglio and finished outside the top ten.

Pidcock, who started as one of the favourites, ended up sixth. McNulty, riding in the rainbow jersey of world champion, was fifth. For Mas, it is a second runner-up finish at Lombardia after 2022. Ciccone's third place gave the Italian fans a home podium.

Top 10, Il Lombardia 2026

1. Paul Seixas (France, Decathlon CMA CGM), 5:49:28
2. Enric Mas (Spain, Movistar), +0:48
3. Giulio Ciccone (Italy, Lidl-Trek), +1:05
4. Remco Evenepoel (Belgium, Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe), +1:20
5. Brandon McNulty (USA, UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
6. Tom Pidcock (Britain, Pinarello Q36.5)
7. Pello Bilbao (Spain, Bahrain-Victorious)
8. Christian Scaroni (Italy, XDS Astana)
9. Filippo Zana (Italy, Soudal Quick-Step)
10. Mathys Rondel (France, Tudor)

Safety protest before the start

The day began with a protest. Riders held a five-minute stoppage at the start in Bergamo over rider safety, including the number of vehicles on race routes. Evenepoel spoke to the crowd on the riders' behalf. Retiring riders, among them Bauke Mollema and Pello Bilbao, were also given a guard of honour before the start. Bilbao then went on to finish seventh.

What it means for Seixas

The win caps a breakthrough 2026 for Seixas, who had already finished second at Liege-Bastogne-Liege this year. Giovanni Gerbi was also 20 when he won the first edition in 1905, but Seixas is younger and now goes into the record books as the youngest winner. Cycling now has one more young star capable of beating the very best in the hilly classics.

Key takeaways

• Paul Seixas, 20, won Il Lombardia on 10 October with a solo attack on the Civiglio about 20km from Como.
• He is the youngest winner in the race's history and gave Decathlon CMA CGM its first Monument.
• Enric Mas was second at 48 seconds and Giulio Ciccone third; Remco Evenepoel finished fourth.
• Five-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar did not race.
• Riders staged a five-minute safety protest before the start in Bergamo.

FAQ

Who won Il Lombardia 2026? Paul Seixas of France (Decathlon CMA CGM) won in 5:49:28, 48 seconds ahead of Enric Mas and 1:05 ahead of Giulio Ciccone.

Where did Seixas make his winning move? On the Civiglio, a 4.2km climb about 20km from the finish in Como. He was around 20 seconds clear at the top and extended his lead to the line.

Why was Tadej Pogacar not racing? Pogacar, winner of the previous five editions, missed the 2026 race through injury, which opened the door for a first-time winner.

Sources: PezCycling News, Inrng, Cyclingnews, Domestique, Cycling Upto Date