"I expect him to finish on the podium" - Teammate of Paul Seixas not only expecting Tour de France debut but also top result

At only 19 years of age, Paul Seixas has perhaps already achieved more than what any other rider of his age has in the history of the sport. The Frenchman looks to have unlimited potential however and may make history if he makes his Tour de France debut later this summer - something which Oliver Naesen supports.

Oliver Naesen has been scheduled for a different calendar this year, putting the Giro d'Italia as his main focus now after the cobbled classics, where he will support Felix Gall in the fight for the pink jersey.

However, he keeps a close eye on his teammates and, particularly, Paul Seixas, who has been in the headlines for months now. His evolution has been staggering and his potential seemingly unlimited. It creates an incredibly important 'what if' that keeps fans wondering.

After skipping Amstel Gold Race, he might be starting La Flèche Wallonne this Wednesday as the main favourite, after winning three stages and the overall classification at the Itzulia Basque Country - showing a level that was even higher than what he showed back in February.

“I think Paul has a better chance in the Flèche Wallonne than in Liège. He has a chance of winning on Wednesday, and that is mind-boggling for someone of that age," Naesen said on the Het Nieuwsblad cycling podcast.

A lot of achievements are, but Seixas has done them. At age 18 he finished 8th at last year's Tour Auvergne - Rhône Alpes and won the Tour de l'Avenir; and then days after turning 19 he joined Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel on the podium of the European Championships.

This showed that he was not only a promise, but already a guarantee of a top rider. He looks to have taken yet another step already over the past half year, as shown in the Basque Country, but also after having finished second to Pogacar at Strade Bianche.

At Flèche Wallonne he may stand his ground; whilst at Liège-Bastogne-Liège the trio is set to clash once again, and with each rider most likely in or near their very best form.

“For that, I have too much respect for the über-champion that Pogacar is. Although I do remain of the opinion that Paul is the only one capable of following him," Naesen argues. Then the decision will be made on whether Seixas will race the Tour de France or not.

The answer seems to be a yes, however only not publicly confirmed yet. The Belgian veteran has no doubt that Decathlon CMA CGM Team should send the young Frenchman to the Grand Boucle for his debut.

"You can expect a lot from Paul. I expect him to finish on the podium, and I think he expects that himself as well. If I were the team boss, I would send him," he concluded.