"I wouldn’t dare say that" - Alberto Contador does not rule out Paul Seixas winning the Tour de France

With just days to go before the start of the 2026 Tour de France, Alberto Contador analyzed for Eurosport — the network where he will again commentate on the French race in Spain — the role one of cycling’s breakout sensations, Paul Seixas, could play, while also running through the list of favourites for the yellow jersey.

'El Pistolero' believes the huge hype surrounding the young French talent does not have to become a problem, since, in his view, the greatest pressure always comes from the rider himself at the Grande Boucle.

“I actually think it could even be an extra motivation. The pressure a champion puts on himself is infinitely greater than what comes from the outside — the papers, the public, the fans, television… The pressure you put on yourself, because you’re ambitious and you want to win, is always far bigger than what comes from outside,” he told Eurosport.

Contador is a rider with plenty experience in the field of Grand Tours and back when he began, he was also someone who reached great heights in the three-week races at a young age - for that time period.

When naming the main contenders for overall victory, Contador was clear that Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard remain the chief references given their records in the race.

“I think there are riders on merit, like Tadej Pogacar, who has won four, or Vingegaard himself, who has won two, who are theoretically ahead of him as bigger favourites, since he’s still an unknown.”

The Spaniard believes Seixas’ lack of experience in a three-week race keeps him an unknown quantity for the general classification, though he admits the Frenchman’s talent means no scenario can be ruled out.

Precisely because of the potential the young Frenchman has shown, Contador stopped short of closing the door on a historic victory on debut.

“But to dare say it’s impossible for Paul Seixas to win the Tour, I’m sorry, I wouldn’t dare say that.”

His comments reflect both the respect inspired by Pogacar and Vingegaard’s recent dominance and the high regard Seixas already commands even before tackling his first Tour de France.