"At 19, Pogacar didn't have the same qualities" - Analyst claims Paul Seixas was holding back at Tour de France in future challenge claim
CyclingThursday, 27 August 2026 at 12:56
A leading French commentator believes that Paul Seixas was holding back at the Tour de France, and expects the teenager to challenge Tadej Pogacar's all-conquering dominance in the future.
Noting that the Decathlon CMA CGM is operating at a higher level than Pogacar was at this age earlier in his career, it's been widely speculated just how high the Frenchman's ceiling may be after he finished 4th place in his maiden Tour, showing impressive consistency and handling the pressure of the Grand Tour with remarkable grace.
With Seixas already breaking a major barrier by attempting to rival Pogacar at Strade Bianche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege in spring, fans didn't quite see a battle between the two as Seixas settled into the hierarcy behind the Slovenian, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel at La Grand Boucle.
However, he's been backed to return to the Tour with greater ambition and intent in 2027, backed by another full year of experience and training under his belt.
"He had never run for more than five days. He went with a bit of restraint. Next year will be different. Next year he will be bolder, he will dare more," RMC Commentator Jérôme Pineau said.
Paul Seixas on stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France
Seixas backed to keep improving
"The Lioran stage [stage 10, Ed., he would have put an end to Evenepoel's hopes... We tell him: 'We don't know where we're going with you', so he remains in the group of outsiders."
Looking ahead, Pineau doesn't go as far as to say that Seixas will directly challenge Pogacar in 2027, but rather points to Seixas operating at the highest level some years before Pogacar announced himself to the cycling world in 2019 and 2020.
"To tell you that he's going to beat him fair and square next year, no, maybe not. In any case, he's going to get closer. This kid is going to improve.
"I say it's possible, he'll train, he'll improve. At 19, Pogacar didn't have the same qualities. Seixas is three years ahead. Now, can he reach the same heights as Pogacar? We don't know."
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Seixas transfer speculation
Seixas has also been the subject of intense transfer speculation as teams line up to convince him to sign. With Seixas contracted with Decathlon until the end of next season, Pineau believes that he could either stay put or look at three other teams as the only capable of supporting him for his Tour ambitions.
Pineau claimed: "There are three or four teams in the world today capable of supporting a Tour de France winner: Decathlon CMA CGM, UAE Team Emirates, Visma | Lease a Bike, and INEOS."
Seixas is expected to be back in action next month ahead of the World Championships, where he's expected to lead the France team at the Montreal championships in pursuit of the rainbow bands.
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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- I said what I said, so shush. Capish?PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Some are saying Pogačar has the best team around him. My bollocks... his team at the Vuelta is so "good" that his only serious help is Vine - who hasn't finished a single race since January and Pablo Torres - who had knee surgery 4 months ago and this is his first grand tour. Almeida is overrated, always was, just like Ayuso. You all have to realize that Pogi alone is a TEAM. God gave Pogi almost everything...talent as if it came directly from him... health, fame... he is a sports icon. He rules the world. Ad acta!!! PS: OMG, I'm using the word God... but I'm an atheist :))PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Alright the first thing he said was wrong, Seixas did Dauphine, 8 days, already last year. Also, the logical conclusion is that Pogacar had a lot more room for improvementvappaxbipmv27-08-2026
- The same logic would apply to you. He has pro victories, YOU HAVE ZERO. What gives you the right to comment on his comments on Pogi? Everybody has free speech and can comment, whether you like it or not.abstractengineer27-08-2026
- Geraint Thomas is saying: “You’re not going to race Pogi with 50k to go and he’s doing seven watts per kilo, because you know you just can’t do that." Exactly, and Johan Bruyneel is saying the same... and other cycling experts. Everyone gets it except Chris Horner. His analysis how to beat Pogi are becoming BS: "Don't go too fast...don't go too slow...use this tactic, but on the next climb use another tactic... bla bla bla... If you have a rider like Pogi, an alien, you can stuff yout tactics where the sun never shines. If Pogi has his team around him, he has everything under control... if he's isolated he breaks away from the peleton and says... "See you in the douches." Ad acta!!!PogiSloFans27-08-2026
- Seixas is such a talent, but these French prognosticators are crazy. let him ride and stop the comparisons.mij27-08-2026
- Fabio as lead out?mij27-08-2026
- Visma has won two stages in the Vuelta, from an organization standpoint (racing and in general) they are the class of the peloton, and they are resigning their own quality riders. their demise has been so grossly overstated.mij27-08-2026
- Stop with the excuses. Train harder!
Front24227-08-2026 - He rode like a boss in the TDF - chapeau!Crashjames27-08-2026
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