"If we don't put too much pressure on him, he could go all the way" - Paul Seixas' father reflects on teenager's Tour de France so far
CyclingMonday, 20 July 2026 at 14:33
Paul Seixas' father believes his son is riding the first Tour de France, doing his family proud as he finds himself in the thick of the general classification fight on the second rest day. With six stages remaining in La Grand Boucle, the Decathlon CMA CGM rider is on the cusp of a top five finish.
Sitting in fourth place overall, Seixas finds himself just 25 seconds adrift from Isaac del Toro and a spot on the podium of his first-ever Tour de France. However, on Sunday's stage 15 finish to Plateau de Solaison, he finished in the second group on the road - 58 seconds adrift of Remco Evenepoel and UAE pair Tadej Pogacar and del Toro.
As the dust settles and riders put their feet up for a much-needed Tour rest day, the yellow jersey picture takes a new twist after Jonas Vingegaard's crash and abandon right before the Solaison ascent on Sunday. With Evenepoel the new second place and Visma no longer a rival to UAE, Seixas' role in the race could become more prominent.
First and foremost, Paul Seixas' father, Emmanuel, opened up on the Vingegaard crash as the Dane left the race. It's the first time Vingegaard has been forced to leave the Tour and Emmanuel had hope to see the Visma leader competing with Paul on the slopes of Plateau de Solaison.
"We shared Vingegaard's grief intensely; it made us very sad because we can't forget him and we hope he's alright," Emmanuel Seixas told Cyclism'Actu.
Seixas' dad praises Decathlon approach to Tour de France
"Then we watched; we have friends who have a chalet here, so we were a bit hidden. Then we came and watched like everyone else."
It was a climb Seixas knows well, and he put in a strong performance behind the leading trio. His dad admitted his amazement and admiration for the team's approach to the race - stepping up to pace on some climbs to suit the teenager.
He said: "We don't live far away, we're from Salanches, Magland to be precise. Paul has ridden it a few times; his family lives nearby, it was magnificent. He had a fantastic race this time, it was great.
"He fought hard, they had a really great stage, it was truly incredible. We're amazed that he's in the second week and that he finished it. We admire what the team is doing, what Paul is doing, and we'll see what happens next."
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Much had been speculated at the race exposing Seixas to intense media pressure at just 19, but his dad thinks he has taken it in his stride. Riding patiently and further beyond any length of race he has before, the French rider being in the Tour itself is a dream for his family.
"What's also amazing is that he seems to handle all aspects of the race very well, including the pressure. And ultimately, he never pushes himself beyond his limits; he manages it perfectly," he added.
"I think he has a plan and he sticks to it. If we don't put too much pressure on him, he could go all the way—you never know. Paul has always been a dream come true for us."
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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- We'll never know, but what evidence?... an anonymous phone tip from some rabid Seixas fan? Certainly not a team car full of dope and paraphernalia or a bunch of used syringes in a trash bag at the race finish.mrvco21-07-2026
- True. If you going to test for doping though, between two tough mountain stages is the right time to test beacuse that is when they might need it most.
Andrew21-07-2026 - cycling has been dirty forever, really not sure why no one is giving the testers the benefit of the doubtwhkman21-07-2026
- None of us really know what goes on behind closed doors but it is very suspicious to wake these riders up the day before a big mountain stage while they are still recovering from the mountain stage the day before. I have to go to bed, it's almost 2am lolawp21-07-2026
- And you’re free to believe that as I am free not to believe it regardless of who my neighbours or work colleagues support.Andrew21-07-2026
- And you know that how? Did Pog call you, message you?Andrew21-07-2026
- being reported that as many as 8 teams were tested at late hours and from Benjamin Cohen, head of ITA in April: “I don’t think you would want to do mass testing at the Tour de France, for example, and wake up all the athletes at 3am — that doesn’t make sense. I think you would need to have very concrete suspicions (about an athlete) and use that in a very cautious manner. “I wouldn’t advocate for mass night testing, but certainly for some flexibility if you believe that there is an issue.” so really doesn't seem like he's crazy about testing and thinks they should need evidence for late night testing. and here we are, they went to a judge and got the ok so I think they have credible evidencewhkman21-07-2026
- "a bit much" is an understatement.whkman21-07-2026
- UAE will suffocate Remco in the big mountains !frieders321-07-2026
- the ita obviously only had evidence on the riders that were tested and took it to the judge and the judge ok'd the 2am and 5am tests. maybe seixas is doped up who knows? but they didn't have any evidence on him to bring to a judge. anyone who thinks the French are biased has forgotten Festina.whkman21-07-2026
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