French cycling star ends season with monster training ride that was almost an Everest
The season might be finished, but apparently that's not enough hard riding for l'Avenir winner Paul Seixas


For most of us, finishing up a long and arduous season might mean pizza, beer and a well-earned holiday in any order that they come.
French climbing ace Paul Seixas on the other hand, had different ideas. Ideas such as a 320km (200 miles), 12-hour ride in the mountains that saw him rack up more than 8,000 metres of ascent and very nearly an Everesting. He posted it on Strava on Sunday.
The 19-year-old, who rides for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, called it, rather aptly, 'Finishing the season well'. He's not wrong.
Not that Seixas has anything to prove to anyone at this point. Having penned a three-year contract with the French WorldTour team, this season's high point was undoubtedly winning the the Tour de l'Avenir, bookending it with stage wins in uphill time trials.
He also took a bronze medal in the European Championships elite men's road race and was seventh in Il Lombardia earlier this month.
His ride, which took place on Sunday, took him on a circuit of the Swiss Alps that included major mountain ascents including the Col de Saisies, the Cormet de Roselend, the Petit and Grand St Bernard and the Col de Forclaz. No wonder his computer was broadcasting a figure of 8,186 metres climbed at the end of the outing.
He will be familiar with some of these climbs from the Tour de l'Avenir, with the Saisies and the Cormet de Roselend featuring in the same order on stage five, which saw Seixas finish second, five seconds behind winner Jarno Widar of Belgium.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
None of that had robbed him of too much vim and vigour, it would appear, because he set a total of 30 PRs on his ride at the weekend, as well as a whole bunch of seconds and thirds.
One of the things we love about Strava is how it allows us a window on some of the craziest training rides undertaken by the pros – rides that would otherwise probably go entirely unreported.
Other momentous escapades we've enjoyed over the years include Chris Froome's 237km in the French alps back in 2021, Annemiek Van Vleuten's eight-hour 'Empty the tank' epic in 2020, and ultra-riding star Fiona Kohlbinger's three-country, 430km, 14-hour epic.
After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.
Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.
He has worked at a variety of races, from the Classics to the Giro d'Italia – and this year will be his seventh Tour de France.
A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.