"Anything other than gold would certainly be a disappointment" - Paul Seixas sets sights on rainbow jersey at World Championships
CyclingFriday, 25 September 2026 at 17:58
Paul Seixas only has gold on his mind as he looks forward to Sunday's World Championships elite road race. After second place in Montreal almost two weeks ago, the Frenchman hopes to do one better and win the rainbow jersey.
After turning 20-years-old this week, the Decathlon rider hopes to come of age in Canada and take home the biggest win of his career. He leads the France team and is among Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro as one of the big favourites.
Without Tadej Pogacar, the race has been turned on its head and offers an open race and opportunity for many to get their hands on a gold medal. For Seixas, he has seven riders behind him in France's bid to win a first rainbow jersey in five years.
"It is of course very nice that my teammates see me as the sole leader," Seixas said in a press conference.
Paul Seixas recons the 2026 World Championships course in Montreal
The pressure of leading the French challenge
Speaking about the pressure of leading France, Seixas admits he feels the heat but is confident in his abilities as he declared that anything less than gold would be a disappointment.
"I know that I am physically capable of keeping up with the best, and the team is aware of that too. Do I feel the pressure?
"A little, but that's normal. Our ambition is simple: we want to win that title. Given my form, anything other than gold would certainly be a disappointment. We have a strong team, but we shouldn't waste energy. I have to make my efforts at the right moment and try to stay calm."
Seixas on Evenepoel and a sprint finish
While acknowledging that Belgium have two lead contenders, Seixas put the pressure on them to control the race. Even though he was beaten by del Toro in a two-up sprint to the line, the Frenchman is confident that after an attritional race he could have every chance to take victory if a solo move doesn't work out.
"On paper, the Belgians remain the big favorites with Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel. They have two rock-solid leaders for two different terrains. It is up to them to carry the race from the start, but we will see how we can take on the challenge.
"Of course, everyone prefers to arrive alone, but finishing with one or more riders can also work out well for me. I am not slow in the sprint and I still train on it weekly to maintain my explosiveness. After 270 kilometers of racing, nothing is the same anymore."
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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