"It's boring" - Thomas Voeckler on racing against Tadej Pogacar; and where Paul Seixas should make Grand Tour debut

Thomas Voeckler has commented on the state of cycling in the era of Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates - XRG, but also on Paul Seixas and the current path that is being built for France's top talent. The 19-year old has already impressed massively this year, but is only one of the quality riders that the nation has to deliver results over current and future years.

"Given the standing of French cycling internationally, I'm proud of my riders' performance," Voeckler said in an interview with Cyclism'Actu. "At the World Championships, we had two riders who were struggling, one of whom could have been in the final alongside Pavel Sivakov and Paul Lapeira. They were in contention… but in contention behind Remco and Pogacar". At the World Championships, the French failed to make an impact, having many quality riders - putting two in the Top15 - but failing to crack the Top10 in a field where the quality is higher than ever, and access to top training and preparation is available to a larger part of the world.

That is a big reason why, for now 40 years, France hasn't produced a Tour de France winner, and has become a less dominant force in the international scene. However in Paul Seixas, hopes rise once again that they could be on top at their home Grand Tour. In the European Championships this fall, at 19 years of age, he joined Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel on the podium.

"It was the same at the European Championships. The start list was worthy of a major classic: Ayuso, Vingegaard, Pogacar, Evenepoel… every country fielded its best riders. The biggest satisfaction is Paul Seixas' performance," Voeckler, who guided Seixas on that day, admits.

"We built the team around Romain Grégoire, and if that didn't work out, others would have their chance. Paul shattered expectations. At his age, it's impressive. I never like to leave without a win, but objectively, the French team has nothing to be ashamed of. Some riders surpassed themselves. We're not winning because there are stronger riders today".

Voeckler hence is becoming an important figure in the development of Seixas, as he is the national coach, and has already been in the car for some of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider's most important performances of the year. He was asked about where he would have Seixas make his Grand Tour debut, one of the great questions currently in the peloton.

"I wouldn't presume to answer for the team. They have competent people for that. In my opinion, the Giro, Tour, or Vuelta won't change his career," he answers. "We talk about it a lot because we want to see him in the Tour, but for me, the real issue lies elsewhere. It's not participation in a particular Grand Tour that will determine his future trajectory".

With Felix Gall aiming for the Giro d'Italia and Matthew Riccitello also reportedly racing the Vuelta a España, all signs seem to point at a Tour de France debut. With a contract ending in 2027 currently and no guarrantee that he will remain after, it could well be that the team is not waiting to play the long game.

"I'm going a bit outside my role here: I love cycling, and when a talent like that emerges, we all dream. What struck me about Paul is his physical development. He didn't race much in 2025, but each time he came back, he was stronger. He's improved in power, but also in his racing style: always precise," the former pro admires.

"His World Championship race, on such a tough course, helped him reach a new mental level. What do I expect? Not results. Progress. That he continues on his path, manages expectations, and moves towards the highest level, without rushing things".

Having been in the car at the World and European Championships, where Tadej Pogacar was unrivalled on his way to victory with long-range attacks, Voeckler has a great view of what its like to race where he is present. "Pogacar is admirable. What he does is incredible, with a simplicity and enjoyment of racing that command respect. But yes: it's boring," he shares. "At the European Championships, the interest in the race was... for third place. The public was watching to see who would be on the podium. You can't say that's ideal for suspense.

It is also a problem for most of the peloton, who besides the cobbled classics (and almost only Mathieu van der Poel can take him head-on), Pogacar virtually performs and wins in all of his goals. "UAE's dominance also raises questions for its rivals. When a team recruits the best young talents, has the resources to optimize everything, and perhaps operates within a different financial framework than teams sponsored by traditional companies, it ends up deregulating the market. To exist in the world's top 10 today, you need a budget that has doubled compared to five years ago. That's not sustainable for everyone".

A budget cap hence is an idea proposed to him, but Voeckler is not sure if this would help the sport, or in opposite fashion, be a negative factor towards it. "I'm considering it, but I don't have a magic bullet. A budget cap could help, but it would require a collective effort. Rugby shows that even with a salary cap, abuses can occur. The problem is that a massive influx of money has caused everything to explode: salaries, budgets, demands. Some teammates aren't even benefiting".

"Many companies can no longer invest in cycling as they once did: the amounts are too high. Curbing this inflation would be beneficial, but it would require enormous coordination between the teams, the UCI, the organizers…"