"Comparison with Seixas is not fair" - Jarno Widar targets return after knee injury as Lotto-Intermarché preach patience

The rise of Paul Seixas as just 19-years-old has set the world of cycling on fire. As fans look forward to the French rider's Tour de France debut this July and wonder how much the teen sensation can improve, comparing other young talents to Seixas has been labelled unfair.

At least that's how Lotto-Intermarché feel. The Belgian team, home to another of cycling's top prospects in Jarno Widar, highlight how not all riders develop at the same speed and setting expectations too high can have a negative effect on the rider in question.

Widar is preparing to return to racing after a frustrating period on the sidelines following a knee injury. The Belgian prospect, who beat Seixas in two mountain stages of last year's Tour de l'Avenir, is getting back to basics while Seixas is flying high to the Tour de France Grand Depart in July.

“A comparison with Seixas is not fair,” Lotto-Intermarché sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer told Het Nieuwsblad. “Not everyone develops at the same speed. We have to be careful not to set the bar too high too soon for Jarno, so he can develop at his own pace.”

Widar hasn't raced since February after he suffered a left knee injury in a training incident that involved a contact with a car. Illness forced him out of the Ardèche Classic, before the injury ruled him out of the Drôme Classic and other spring target such as Strade Bianche and the Ardennes classics.

Van de Wouwer confirmed that surgery was considered: “His left knee was so badly affected that he had to reckon with swelling, meaning friction developed. Surgery was considered, but we wanted to avoid that. So Jarno and the team had no choice but to be patient.”

Time is on Widar's side however as his sports manager reiterated. The Belgian team are confident that time is on the Belgian's side.

“Staying calm in elite sport is not easy, and certainly not when you are 20,” he added “But Jarno realised quickly that he could not rush this.”

Widar is targeting a return at GP of Gippingen followed by the Tour de Suisse. All going well, he will then train at altitude before assessing latter season plans that could include a potential grand tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana.