Paul Seixas wins Il Lombardia after riders protest over race safety

Paul Seixas, a 20-year-old French rider, won Il Lombardia in Italy, one of cycling’s five most prestigious one-day races.

He attacked on a climb 19 kilometres from the finish in Como and rode alone to the line.

Spain’s Enric Mas finished second and Italy’s Giulio Ciccone third.

Seixas became the youngest winner in the race’s history and the youngest winner of a Monument since 1944.

Before the race, riders held a five-minute protest over safety concerns after several incidents involving vehicles.

Days earlier, riders Thomas Gloag and Marcel Camprubi had been hit by a police motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction during another race.

The protest also followed the death of British cyclist Finlay Tarling in a vehicle collision during the Tour of Portugal in August.

The race went ahead after the delay, and Seixas claimed the title previously won by Tadej Pogacar for five years in a row.