"It's very tough" - Megatalent Paul Seixas holds his own against world's best GC riders in Combloux

Criterium du Dauphiné stage 6 was a day where we've learnt a lot about the current distribution of power among the Tour de France favourites, but it was also a great day for French cycling fans. A home rider didn't win on Friday, but when was the last time there were three men from France in a top-10 of a mountain stage? And among them perhaps the greatest climbing talent - Paul Seixas - is on his way to a first WorldTour GC top-10.

"Honestly, I had a great feeling," Seixas reacted immediately, obviously satisfied with his performance on the ascent to Combloux. "The team did a great job, we were well positioned all day. I was able to hang onto the right group on the Côte de Mont-Saxonnex and save a bit of energy for the end. And on the last climb, it was all about pedaling."

The team of Tadej Pogacar wasted no time on Cote de Domancy and immediately shattered the group of favourites on the steep section. "UAE got going, they climbed so fast...," Seixas reflects.

He didn't panic and rode with his brain as well as his legs towards the finish line where he arrived only 14 seconds after Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel. "I climbed a bit at my own pace. I started off a bit too fast in Domancy, but after that I managed it well I think. I held on mentally until the finish. It was steep, which suited me quite well. And the stage was short, which was good for me."

This brings the 18-year-old Seixas to an eighth place overall with just two days to go. "I hope that tomorrow (Saturday) will go as well as today. It will be different, I'll hang on like today and we'll see what happens. What am I learning from being with the best? That it's very tough, and that the level is extremely consistent. That's all. I'm discovering the level of the best, it's nice," concluded Paul Seixas.