Seixas wins Lombardy but domestique Benoot also has something to celebrate with Decathlon: 'A great way to end the season'

Benoot was there as one of Seixas’s key domestiques. The 32-year-old Belgian held his own for a long time among the top climbers and stayed with a select group right up until the final assault began.

“I did everything I could,” he told Eurosport. “I was better than expected, to be honest. I reached the top of the Ghisallo with 30 to 35 riders. After that, I was able to position him for the San Fermo climb, and then it was up to Paul himself. From there, he did a fantastic job.”

On the first climb up San Fermo della Battaglia, Benoot had to let the group go. Seixas was then on his own, but he didn’t need any more help. And his domestique? He could only watch as Seixas went on a rampage.

“On the Civiglio, I was able to watch from the second car. He set the pace himself and dropped everyone—that’s really impressive.”

For Seixas, it was his first victory in a Monument, and thus his team’s first as well. But for Benoot, it was also an unexpected first. “This is my twelfth season as a rider, and it’s the first time I’ve been on a team that’s won a Monument. It’s a great way to end the season.”

The plan had already been hatched beforehand. There was no thought of a long attack: Seixas had to make his move on the Civiglio. “We’d already said in the team meeting that we had to make the difference there, given the course. That was the moment to do it. But the whole team did a fantastic job. We kept him in a good position and did a lot of work at the front. A great day.”

Decathlon CMA CGM arrived in Lombardy with Benoot, as well as Matthew Riccitello, Nicolas Prodhomme, Antoine L'Hote, Jordan Labrosse, and Callum Scotson. Strong riders, but clearly a team built around Seixas. That paid off, and during the race, Benoot had what it took. “Before the Ghisallo climb, Paul told me how he was feeling. He told me he was feeling good.” ...He definitely was!