"He's under insane pressure" - Bernard Hinault warns against extreme Paul Seixas push for Tour de France
CyclingSunday, 15 March 2026 at 12:45
The Tour de France hasn't been won by a French rider in 40 years and naturally that leads to all eyes landing on all the riders from the nation who can climb at a top level. At 19 years of age, Paul Seixas has captured the imagination of many, already being one of the riders who comes closest to Tadej Pogacar in the peloton; however even Bernard Hinault warns against the extreme pressure that is being put on the Decathlon CMA CGM Team.
It is part of being a top rider developing from a nation with lots of history in the sport, as Remco Evenepoel has faced similar pressure in his early years as a pro, turning pro already being termed a future Grand Tour and monument winner. Very few manage to perform under such pressure, which also comes with a large dose of scrutiny and criticism over time. In 2025 Seixas had an impressive neo-pro season, but his start to 2026 has taken over the spotlight on several occasions.
Most recently his second place behind Tadej Pogacar in his Strade Bianche debut definitely put him back up there, even if the World Champion was the strongest on the day. "He's under insane pressure… Everyone already sees him winning the Tour, and if he does participate, he won't be up against a pushover," Bernard Hinault said in an interview with Ouest-France.
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Not going to Tour de France for experience
All signs point towards a Tour debut later this summer, with his contractual situation currently being at play, and him already performing well over a wide variety of stage-races. If not for a result, then for experience. Although most will not see it as just an experience certainly.
"Presented like that, the risk for Seixas is that he won't win the Tour. And going there to learn, given his temperament, I don't really believe it," the French legend argues. "So if I were him, I'd rather do another Grand Tour to start with, to test myself, and maybe even try to win it."
However for a rider who only year and a half ago was racing in the junior ranks, there is a split opinion regarding how the constant discussion will help him or quite the opposite: "Let's not put too much pressure on him. I'd like it to be him, because forty years without a victory isn't normal. But it's still too early to say he's going to win the Tour".
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- Once again the comments section has proved to be more entertaining to read than the main features.Cyclingsbestfan15-03-2026
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