"It can consume you" - Jurdie insists Decathlon will pull the brakes after Paul Seixas' stellar Tour de France performance
Cycling
As the dust settles on the 2026 Tour de France, Decathlon CMA CGM can look back on a successful three weeks that included a general classification bid and a stage win in the first bunch sprint of the edition.
A French team, Decathlon carried the hopes of French cycling in the form of Paul Seixas. The 19-year-old teenager arrived at the Tour unproven over three weeks and with lofty ambitions, delivering on his potential with a fourth place finish overall.
With three weeks of general classification riding under their belts, Julien Jurden is proud of his team's performances. This included a victory on stage 5 as Olav Kooij won the first bunch sprint, instantly paying off the team's decision to bring him to La Grand Boucle.
The team also worked for Kooij in the finale as Mathieu vban der Poel's Paris bid paid off, beating the Dutch sprinter and the remaining fast men in a photo finish. First and foremost, Jurdie was in awe of van der Poel and the Montmartre circuit finale.
"We believed in it. This circuit was crazy. I was discovering it: it was impressive. I was blown away on the climb up Montmartre," Julien Jurdie said after the stage.
"A big congratulations to Mathieu. We gave it our all because we had complete confidence in Olav today to try and win a second stage victory. Unfortunately, it's a top 5. But it was a beautiful afternoon, an extraordinary spectacle."
Decathlon enjoy successful Tour de France
Decathlon's true Tour memories come from Seixas' strong representation at the front end of the general classification, sealing fourth place and challenging for the podium.
"There is a lot of pride and joy. We experienced an unforgettable three-week adventure. Cycling is an individual sport that is practiced as a team. We gave a great demonstration of that for three weeks.
"Let's not forget that Paul is a young rider, only 19 years old. He arrived with a lot of courage and determination. The top 5 is exceptional, there is a lot of pride."
Paul Seixas at the 2026 Tour de France
The team attempted to salvage a spot on the podium, challenging Isaac del Toro's grip on third place. However, a slight over-extension on the penultimate stage saw his challenge falter. Jurdie has no regrets as he dealt with the pressure and intensity of the race.
"As for the general classification, we tried to seize every opportunity we could. We saw that again yesterday on the climb to Alpe d'Huez. We tried to put pressure on Del Toro. It didn't work, but we didn't want to have any regrets after the finish line. Both objectives have been achieved: a stage win and the overall classification."
He added: "We rediscovered the team's values over the three weeks. There was solidarity. I discovered an exceptional group. The preparation was very long; we've been here since May. There's a lot of joy because there's inevitably a certain amount of pressure. Finishing 4th with Paul is fantastic."
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Jurdie insists rest is key for Seixas
What's next for Seixas? Rest is the word for Jurdie and Decathlon before the Canadian one-day races come into focus. Noting the all-consuming nature of the Tour, Jurdie emphasised the rider's growing maturity and mental strength.
He confirmed: "Canada in September. For Paul, it's important to recover well after the excitement of the Tour. We know the Tour's amplification system. It's impressive. It can consume you.
"So, Paul needs to take a break. He's had a very fast-paced learning experience during these three weeks, especially yesterday.
"We know his talent, his maturity, his mental strength, his exceptional physique. Experiencing the Tour at 19 can only do him good, and I think he'll be much stronger in 2027."
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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- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
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- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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