"He just seems more advanced" - Geraint Thomas declares Seixas as Pogacar's successor; But it comes with major warning about UAE rider
Cycling
Geraint Thomas makes no mistake about it: Paul Seixas is better at 20-years-old than Tadej Pogacar was at the same age. With Pogacar still at the peak of his powers and dominating the sport, the INEOS director warns that the Slovenian could still be around at the top for some time.
All said, Pogacar is going nowhere. However, the Welshman believes that Seixas's development ensures that both Decathlon CMA CGM and France have a bright future ahead as he's tipped to compete with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider in the coming seasons.
After winning Il Lombardia, Thomas believes that the Frenchman's development makes him one of cycling's biggest names already.
"He's better than Pog when Pog was that age. He's not just the wins, but just how he seems. He just seems more advanced, more developed," Thomas explained on his podcast, Watts Occuring.
"It's going to be an exciting few years for him and for France and for your team."
Although the Decathlon sensation is tipped to rise to the very top, Pogacar is likely to remain at the summit for the foreseeable. At 28, the Slovenian seems to follow each season with even more improvements.
Tadej Pogacar
Thomas sees Pogacar continue to improve
The INEOS director of Racing thinks that the mental side of the sport is what intrigues him most about Pogacar, noting that his mentality and motivation strikes him first.
"Pog's still improving... Mentally, if he can still commit and do everything right, he can keep improving till he's like 35, in my eyes, Pog.
"He's unique, don't get me wrong, Pog. Really, the reason that it's like, 'Whoa,' is because he's done it for so long. That's why it's the mental side for me, 100%."
Although Pogacar's upward trend could continue, Thomas thinks that burnout could impact his motivation and physical development at some point.
He added: "Unless he completely burns himself out, which he would have to start to rein it in with the Classics and the Grand Tours. In my eyes, no reason why he can't keep improving."
Seixas at the cobbled classics?
One such place where Pogacar already shines and could be challenged by Seixas is the cobbled classics. A versatile rider, already proven to thrive off-road with a stellar performance at Strade Bianche earlier this spring, Seixas admits that he is a big fan of the other spring classics. "I really like the cobblestones," the Frenchman revealed in an interview with Marca.
In the Ardennes Seixas is already a natural-born performer. On the cobbles, he could follow in the footsteps of Tadej Pogacar - and most recently Remco Evenepoel; riders who have thrived in Flanders' steep climbs and tricky roads.
"Even back in the under-19 category, I enjoyed those types of races. For now, I’ll stick to my current schedule, but once I’ve gained more experience and achieved other goals, I’d like to try my hand at the cobbled classics," he anticipates.
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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- So, you never really compared Paul Seixas with his main rival Isaac Del Toro why jump to Pogačar? They've (Paul & Isaac) raced together here and there, and they've both shared in wins and losses, I think they should be compared to each other, even with Vingegaard and Remco first before even touching Pogačar. From your writing it's like he's better than Vingegaard, Remco and Del Toro already that his main target is now Pogačar 🤔Sadick11-11-2026
- gee i hope its a minor injury. a great rider and ambassador for the sport. get well soon Lucinda.
Davide11-11-2026 - some of lidl-treks retention and recruiting has been puzzling in the mens and womens teams.Davide11-11-2026
- Yeah his ride at World's was unreal. Over 6 W/kg for over an hour and a half...he single handedly destroyed the break.DAS11-11-2026
- Exactly, you hit the nail on te head.... Ayuso sucks. 3 to 4 years ago some cycling experts were comparing Ayuso as the "new Pogi"... but he's not even close to him... either physically or mentally. Capish you naive schoolboy?PogiSloFans11-11-2026
- I think they expected more from riders like Carlos Rodriguez, Vauquelin and Magnus Sheffield. Imo they should have focused on signing Primoz Roglic, at least they´d probably have had a guaranteed podium GT finisher (he still might sign for them). Now they have 2nd or third tier riders in the classics (Ben Turner, Arensman, Beloki and hopefully Onley can step up again even more). Sheffield, August, Bernal, Tarling and Geoghan Hart did not live up to the star expectations eventually..Jonatan11-11-2026
- Fuuuuuuck, Ciccone and Pidcock on the same team, attacking like crazy and taking it to the other competitors? Yes, please.Occam11-11-2026
- Oh Cameron, this win has been a long time coming! We could not be more proud. All I’ll say is: roll on Glasgow 🔥anonymouscyclist11-11-2026
- Ayuso is another guy riding for GC but won't be able to consistently do it. Almost all of these guys, Skjelmose included, would be better off targeting shorter stage races or one-day races rather than shooting for a GT top-five.Occam11-11-2026
- Awesome. Because you didn't like him, he sucks. Good Lord, you're tendentious. And you write like a 15 yo locked in his room after school.Occam11-11-2026
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