Tiesj Benoot Praises Paul Seixas After Historic Il Lombardia Victory: “He’s Like a Sponge”

The Tiesj Benoot Paul Seixas Il Lombardia partnership was on full display as Decathlon CMA CGM celebrated an extraordinary milestone on Italian soil.

Following the 20-year-old French prodigy’s historic solo victory in Como, veteran road captain Tiesj Benoot was quick to laud Seixas’s relentless work ethic and tactical intelligence, revealing how the youngest winner in “The Race of the Falling Leaves” history adapts and learns at an astonishing rate.

The Master and the Apprentice: Benoot’s Inside Account

For Decathlon CMA CGM, the 120th edition of Il Lombardia was more than just a victory; it was the coronation of a generational talent. Having transitioned to the French squad as a premier road captain, Tiesj Benoot played a vital role in pacing and positioning Seixas before his race-winning attack on the Civiglio.
In the post-race celebration, Benoot opened up about Seixas’s grounded attitude, highlighting why the 20-year-old has transitioned so seamlessly from the junior ranks to winning one of the five Monuments of cycling.
On Seixas’s ability to listen and apply tactical advice:

“Paul listens carefully when I say something and he learns very quickly,” Benoot told Domestique. “He’s a bit like a sponge. In a race like this, where every decision on the climbs and descents matters, having a young rider who absorbs information and immediately executes under pressure is what makes him a great champion.”

Benoot’s veteran guidance on the road proved critical in neutralizing chase attempts from the likes of Remco Evenepoel and Enric Mas, ensuring Seixas could maintain his historic solo gap through to Como.

Decathlon CMA CGM’s 2026 Monument Breakthrough

Tactical Keys & The “Sponge” Mentality

Seixas’s capacity to absorb tactical instruction has been a defining feature of his 2026 season. As road captain, Benoot’s role was to act as the calming voice in the radio and peloton, ensuring that Seixas preserved critical energy while team favorites were busy reacting to early breakaways.
When UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe initiated standard high-tempo pacing, Benoot’s advice to Seixas was simple: stay on wheels, watch the gaps, and wait for the steepest ramps of the Civiglio. The subsequent solo launch and flawless descent showed a level of maturity rarely seen in riders of his age group.
This breakthrough Monument win, officially verified on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) database and publicized via RCS Sport / Il Lombardia, marks a pivotal shift in the peloton’s generational balance. By pairing Benoot’s tactical wisdom with Seixas’s relentless physical engine, Decathlon CMA CGM has created a winning blueprint to challenge the sports’ traditional superteams.

Key Takeaways

• 🧽 “The Sponge”: Road captain Tiesj Benoot praised Paul Seixas’s willingness to listen, learn, and absorb strategic advice instantly.
  
• 🇫🇷 Lombardia Triumph: At 20 years old, Seixas rode solo to a historic victory in Como to become the youngest winner in race history.
  
• 🤝 Veteran Mentorship: Benoot’s role as road captain was vital in guiding the young Frenchman through high-stress race sectors.
  
• 🏆 Monument First: Secure’s Decathlon CMA CGM’s first ever Monument victory, ending UAE’s long Lombardia streak.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What did Tiesj Benoot say about Paul Seixas?
A1: Benoot praised Seixas’s listening skills and ability to learn quickly under pressure, comparing him to a “sponge” who absorbs and executes tactics flawlessly.
Q2: What role did Tiesj Benoot play in the 2026 Il Lombardia?
A2: Benoot served as the primary road captain for Decathlon CMA CGM, providing crucial mentorship, pacing, and position support to help deliver Seixas’s winning move.

Interactive Reader Poll
Is Seixas’s rapid adaptation the start of a multi-Monument legacy for Decathlon CMA CGM?
Option A: Yes! Backed by Benoot’s mentorship and team experience, Seixas can win many more.
Option B: No, rivals will adapt and target him more aggressively in future classics.

Final Verdict & Strategic Impact

Tiesj Benoot’s endorsement of Paul Seixas highlights the importance of teamwork and veteran guidance in achieving Monument glory. By staying grounded, absorbing tactical advice, and possessing world-class engine power, Seixas has proven himself to be the real deal. Stay tuned to SportViaX for in-depth classic review and pro cycling analysis.