"It would change a lot if he weren’t there" - Paul Seixas sees Pogacar's potential World Championships absence as a game-changer
CyclingThursday, 03 September 2026 at 10:42
Paul Seixas believes that a World Championships without Tadej Pogacar completely changes the dynamics of the race, with the world champion's status for the race seeming unlikely after he underwent surgery on Tuesday.
The Vuelta a Espana leader crashed out of the race on Saturday, suffering a broken collarbone, C7 vertebrae and concussion. With just over three weeks to go until the road race, a return to the start line has not been totally ruled out but is seemingly unlikely for the Slovenian.
Paul Seixas is set to lead the France selection for the race and is primed to be one of the favourites to take the rainbow jersey, with or without Pogacar at the start line. First things first for the 19-year-old, Seixas wishes Pogacar a speedy recovery.
Reflecting on the race, Pogacar's absence would be a game-changer, removing the major favourite and changing the roles and ambitions of the race.
Tadej Pogacar has left hospital
Seixas admits difficulty at seeing Pogacar crash
“First and foremost, it was terrible to see Tadej crash. Because it was the kind of crash that could happen to anyone. I hope he recovers as soon as possible,” Seixas told HLN.
“It’s still a bit too early to really say anything about it, because we don’t know yet whether or not he’ll make it to the start, but of course it would change a lot if he weren’t there."
Describing the dynamics of riding in a race with Pogacar, he expects a more open form of racing should he not defend his rainbow jersey.
"If Tadej competes, you have to figure out how you’re going to race against him. He’s the king of the race. We might already see it in the Grand Prix de Montréal, though of course that’s still a bit different from the World Championships, where we race with national teams.
More open race without Pogacar
“I expect the race to be more open, but there are still a lot of great riders I’ll have to compete against.”
Assessing his rivals for the big race, Remco Evenepoel is a name that comes to mind. The question of the benefits of having a Tour de France in his legs also springs to mind, with many stating that a three-week helps elevate many to a greater level.
“Remco has a very interesting profile for these races. He’s undoubtedly one of the favourites—perhaps even the top favourite. He’s also been world champion before—he knows what it takes.
“It’s hard to say [If the Grand Tour benefit will be felt]. I won’t know until I perform well in a race. That’s where I want to excel, not just in training. We’ll see. In any case, I feel fresh, both physically and mentally.”
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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