Paul Seixas was the revelation of this Strade Bianche. The young Frenchman didn't win, but he was the one who managed better than others to stay on the wheel of Pogacar, who for the fourth time conquered the Tuscan Classic. "I didn't say it in yesterday's interview, but our goal was still to get on the podium today – said the nineteen-year-old from Lyon with a smile – It was certainly a very ambitious goal. I had never raced this event before and I barely knew the gravel sectors".

For him this was an important test, because racing against champions of Pogacar's caliber and others who on paper were favorites was certainly not easy.

"I fought all day to achieve this result. But it was above all the work of the team that was truly impressive. When Pogacar attacked my legs felt good. I had some minor stomach issues: I had some cramps all day, then I don't quite know why, but I didn't have too much discomfort. I tried to follow him at the start, he attacked just before the descent and then the team tactics began with Del Toro blocking me. He did everything to prevent me from passing, I would overtake him, and he would overtake me again, passing in front of me. So, on the descent, I lost time. And then I had to make up the gap he had created".

Seixas is a true champion who at 19 years old is not afraid to follow Pogacar and, when he crossed the finish line, he greeted the crowd thanking them for all the support received.

"I gave my best to try to stay with him and I managed to hold on. I arrived at the heels of a great rider exactly one minute behind, and one minute is not that much, that's for sure, but still, it's a minute". Before the race Seixas had said that he was here to test himself against other riders, to see where he stood compared to the best in the world.

"It's a race I'm discovering, and arriving second, beating all the other strong riders at the start except Pogacar, gives me a lot of confidence for the future and shows that hard work pays off and that this year I can compete among the best. I'm proud of myself, but I'm particularly proud of the team, of what they did".