“I think Paul Seixas knows what he’s doing” - Felix Gall warns French press against putting too much pressure on their new cycling superstar
Cycling
Felix Gall has offered a note of caution around the rapid rise of Paul Seixas, warning that excessive expectations could prove dangerous, even as he praised the young French climber’s ability and maturity.
Speaking during the Decathlon CMA CGM Team presentation, Gall was asked about the depth of climbing talent now available within the squad and the attention already surrounding Seixas. While clearly impressed, the Austrian stressed the importance of balance as the spotlight grows.
“I haven’t raced that much with him, but what I’ve seen so far is super impressive. The way he handles everything, he already has a lot of attention. I think he knows what he’s doing,” Gall said, in quotes reported by Cyclism’Actu.
He added a clear warning alongside that praise. “There is a bit of danger if he gets too much pressure or expectations from the public, that can affect someone negatively.”
Gall made clear that the performances shown so far speak for themselves. “What he’s shown on the bike so far has been really excellent. I’m really curious to see what he’s going to do next year.”
A deeper pool of leaders at Decathlon CMA CGM
Gall’s comments come as Decathlon CMA CGM continues to build a roster increasingly focused on general classification ambitions. Alongside Seixas, the team now counts several riders capable of riding at the front in the mountains, including Matthew Riccitello.
Asked about the possibility of sharing leadership roles in stage races, Gall welcomed the idea rather than seeing it as a complication. “I’m not sure what the race calendar is going to look like for the whole team, but I think there are chances. We want to be one of the best teams in the world, and we need more general classification riders,” he said.
For Gall, a shared approach could even be an advantage. “I think it can also be nice to go to a race with a shared leadership role.”
That depth has also given Gall greater freedom to shape his own career path, particularly when it comes to the biggest races on the calendar.
Felix Gall is dreaming of a Grand Tour podium
A deliberate break from the Tour de France
One of the most striking revelations from the interview was Gall’s intention to skip the Tour de France in 2026, instead focusing his ambitions on the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a Espana.
“I would like to target another Grand Tour next year, with the Giro and the Vuelta, and I think the main goal for next year is to finish on the podium,” Gall explained.
His reasoning is rooted in preparation and opportunity, especially when it comes to the Vuelta. “I’ve already ridden it twice now, but always with the Tour de France beforehand, and I’m curious to see what is possible with a really good preparation.”
The Giro also represents unfinished business. “I’ve only done it once, but I wasn’t at the level I’m at today, so it will feel like a first Giro.”
Gall was candid about the competitive reality of the Tour de France itself. “As I said, I want to finish on the podium of a Grand Tour, and I think that might be a bit easier elsewhere.”
With Olav Kooij expected to anchor the team’s Tour ambitions, Gall sees no issue in stepping away, at least temporarily. “We have the Tour covered with Olav, so I think that’s good. I like the Tour de France, but I think it’s good to do something else and come back in 2027.”
For now, Gall’s focus appears clear: careful progression, shared leadership, and a podium target built on preparation rather than pressure.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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Un nouveau maillot est né. Et CMA CGM entre dans le cadre 🚴♂️🌍 Le team DECATHLON CMA CGM dévoile sa tenue 2026, imaginée avec @Decathlon, @van_rysel et des partenaires engagés. Un design façonné par une ambition commune. #CMACGM #DecathlonCMACGM #Cycling @decathloncmacgm
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