Modern sport thrives on exclusive clubs, such as tennis's celebrated 'Big Three' of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Cycling has attempted its own groupings—Big Six, Big Five, Big Four—and now, with Primoz Roglic in the twilight of his career, a Big Three of Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel. Yet Pogacar stands alone, making a 'Big One' a tempting but flawed concept.
Recent weeks have sparked speculation that a new 'Big Two' could emerge, potentially reshaping the sport. This weekend's Liege-Bastogne-Liege serves as the first major test. At 27, Pogacar is in his prime, no longer the young upstart but a realized talent. Meanwhile, Paul Seixas, a 19-year-old French sensation, is rapidly making a name for himself.
Seixas burst onto the WorldTour scene this month with a stunning victory at Itzulia Basque Country, where he won the individual time trial, two mountain stages, and all four classifications, leading from stage two onward. His performance surpassed rivals like Juan Ayuso, Isaac del Toro, and Florian Lipowitz. Last autumn, he finished third at the European Championships behind Pogacar and Evenepoel, and this spring he placed second at Strade Bianche before winning La Fleche Wallonne, becoming the youngest-ever winner of that Classic.
While Pogacar and Evenepoel skipped La Fleche to prepare for Liege, they will have taken note. Seixas rides for Decathlon CMA CGM, carrying the hopes of French cycling. Despite the hype, he remains grounded, crediting his team for keeping him focused. However, Pogacar remains the five-star favorite, having won Liege three times and boasting a strong spring including a Milan-San Remo victory.
The course of Liege-Bastogne-Liege features punchy hills that suit Pogacar, though Seixas showed aptitude on similar terrain at the Mur de Huy. Evenepoel, a two-time winner of this Monument, is another major contender after his dominant Amstel Gold performance. Tom Pidcock, recovering from a crash, may not be at full strength.
This race offers a glimpse into cycling's future: Pogacar's reign versus the emerging challenge of Seixas. While Seixas admits he may not yet have the level to beat the Slovenian, the prospect of a new rivalry is electrifying.
