"I hope to really perform, see what I can do, they are the greatest cyclists" - Paul Seixas tentatively targets Tour de France stage 2 win
Cycling
Paul Seixas got his first taste of the Tour de France after becoming the youngest rider in 89 years to take to the start line on Saturday. Riding a strong team time trial, he sits tenth in the general classification already.
But the French teenager and Decathlon CMA CGM have already been handed their first dish of reality as they dine on La Grand Boucle's top table. The 19-year-old sits already 39 seconds adrift yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard.
Despite this, Seixas is pleased. With a slightly weaker team than the likes of the Dane and Tadej Pogacar's outfits, Seixas responded to the stage with just the summary: limiting the damage. Taking command in the final kilometers, Seixas seemingly pulled the last 3 kilometers to finish a solid sixth place.
"We limited the damage well today, and I'm happy with how it felt," Seixas said to reporters after the stage.
"We expected to see gaps like that. So, I think we had a good time trial today and did the best we could. I'm feeling good. I take it as a normal team time trial and we did a great job today."
Seixas previews stage 2
Already looking ahead to a punchy second stage finishing in Barcelona, Seixas thinks that it'll suit him much more. But in a stacked field, he knows better than to try and exert authority and is happy to see how it goes.
"I think it's a good stage for me, but I think we can see how it goes. Of course, it's not the same as what I did throughout the years because I did work differently for this race, so I will see how it goes, how I feel, and I hope it can be a good stage tomorrow."
Seixas makes no mistake about it, he's joining Pogacar and Vingegaard's world and is simply focusing on performing at his highest level. But with one eye on higher mountains on the horizon, Seixas still sought to remind reporters of his form.
He continued: "They are the best in the world, so we will see how it goes during the weeks, and I hope to really perform, see what I can do, [but, Ed.] they are the greatest cyclists for the moment."
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"I'm going to try and see how it goes for the first road stage. We'll get a feel for the racing. I'm obviously looking forward to it really starting in the mountains. I think everyone is happy. We're in top form. I hope it's going to be a good battle."
Sporting competition aside, Seixas knows how important Saturday's moment was for his family as his grandparents watched him make his Tour bow. Announcing his participation, his Decathlon team shared a heartwarming video of Seixas telling them of his planned participation and their shocked reaction.
"Of course, it was really something special for my grandparents. I think they were watching on TV today," he said. "I saw them at the start of the week, and they were really happy, and I hope they will enjoy this Tour de France."
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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