"A real stage on the Tour de France" - Saitama dress-rehearsal win lights fire inside Paul Seixas for stage glory at Grand Tour
Cycling
Paul Seixas hopes that his Saitama Criterium victory will just be a dress rehearsal for a Tour de France stage win in the future as he got to experience what it's like to win at the Grand Tour as he took victory at the ASO-organised showpiece on Sunday.
The 20-year-old completed his Asian tour, that saw him ride the Singapore Criterium last weekend, and his 2026 season proper as he heads into a short off-season where he can look back on a stellar breakthrough year.
A fourth place at the Tour, Il Lombardia victory and breakout successes at Fleche Wallone and Itzulia Basque Country are just the starting points for the Decathlon CMA CGM rider - who has the cycling world at his feet heading into a contract year in 2027.
The Frenchman reflected on his victory in Japan, where he beat Brandon McNulty, Torstein Traen and Oscar Onley among the big-name riders who took to the start.
"It was a great race. With three laps to go, we formed a four-man breakaway with Torstein, Oscar, and Brandon. Then Brandon attacked; he was really strong," Seixas said after the race.
Paul Seixas wins the Saitama Criterium
Seixas shares Tour de France goal
"I tried to follow and quickly realised I was alone in the chase, so I made the effort to bridge the gap. With one lap to go, I felt the right moment when I was a bit stronger: I launched a counter-attack, it was the right move, and I finished in time trial mode, the way I like it."
He now has a few weeks to reset for 2027 before his Decathlon team re-convene and set out their plans for the new season. In his interview afterwards, Seixas hinted at a 'real stage' of the Tour is on his radar going forward - while he previously made no secret of his ambitions to win the Tour overall during his career.
"It's a superb way to end my season, especially after the disappointment of my second place last week [at the ASO-organised Singapore Criterium].
"It was great to discover a new country, to race here in Japan, and we'll see next year or in the future about going for a real stage on the Tour de France!"
Seixas discusses contract situation and future ambitions
With a host of media duties throughout his Singapore and Saitama Criterium appearnaces, Seixas discussed a wide range of topics as he provided updates on his contract situation, long-term and short-term goals.
While out of contract at the end of 2027, Seixas decalred that he is in no hurry to decide his future as his team attempt to hold onto their star man. Elsewhere, Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates-XRG have emerged as big name suitors in the hunt for his signature.
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For the long-term, cobbled classics such as Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders aren't off the table for Seixas. However, he has also previously hinted that he could skip the 2027 Tour in favour of making progress elsewhere given Pogacar's domination of the race.
With a climbing-heavy Giro d'Italia announced for next May, he's the subject of media speculation around whether he will take to the start line in Trieste. Seixas hasn't ruled out anything when it comes to both his race goals and potential long-term team destination.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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