"I don’t see him trying to win or do a top three" - Alejandro Valverde tackles Paul Seixas' potential Tour de France debut

Spain national coach Alejandro Valverde assessed in an interview with MARCA the opening stretch of 2026 with a wide lens: measured optimism, confidence in the changing of the guard, and caution around established figures such as Juan Ayuso. All that, without losing sight of the emergence of young talents like Paul Seixas, one of the names of the year, with the Tour de France on the horizon.

After the first months of racing, Valverde delivers a constructive overall review of Spanish cycling, despite some significant setbacks. “Good, it’s started quite well. Then there’s the bad luck of [Juan] Ayuso’s crash, and now he’s fallen ill for the Ardennes with a virus, but overall it’s good. [Iván] Romeo, [Carlos] Canal… riders who were at the Worlds and the European championships last year are already starting to win and be up there. It’s a good start.”

The Lidl-Trek rider’s form has swung up and down, something the coach frames within a long, demanding season. “He started very well, which means the condition is there. He hasn’t lost confidence, even after changing teams he’s still in the mix".

"But the body doesn’t always respond as you want: he’s had crashes, which is bad luck, and when you crash you try to force it and end up battering your body before you’ve recovered, which can lead to infections. You have to strike a fair balance. It could have been better without those issues, sure, but there’s a lot of year left.”

With the Tour de France in mind, Valverde does not rule out big ambitions, though he avoids setting a timeline for the Spaniard.

“I can see it being feasible, of course. I don’t know if it will be this year, but I do see him on the podium at some point. It’s hard, of course, but if he sets his mind to it he has to go for it. Then it will come off or not, but the key is to believe.”

One of the early-season spotlights falls on the young Frenchman, whose progression has not gone unnoticed.

“Incredible. A 19-year-old, riding the way he is… at Strade Bianche, taking the fight to Pogacar. It’s impressive how he wins, how he kicks, attacking from distance, brave. He’s a superb talent we must follow closely.”

Despite the excitement around his performances, Valverde argues for a gradual build-up if he does line up at the Tour.

“He can go, but you have to know what you’re going for. I don’t see him trying to win or do a top three. He’s very young. He’s started the season very well and needs to grow step by step. We mustn’t burn him out. He can go to learn, to read the race, and later on, if all goes well, then go all-in.”