"Maybe one day I’ll reach his level, maybe not" - Paul Seixas declares rival Tadej Pogacar his cycling role model as he looks ahead to 2027
Cycling
Paul Seixas has the cycling world at his feet after a stellar 2026 breakthrough season that saw him not only become the youngest rider to start the Tour de France in 89 years, but finish fourth place overall. After turning 20 in September, the Decathlon CMA CGM sensation is looking ahead to 2027.
Although he's the subject of intense contract speculation as he enters negotiations with Decathlon, he will remain with the French team until at least the end of the 2027 season. However, as cycling's hottest property, Visma, UAE and several other teams are interested in his signature.
In recent media appearances, the Frenchman decalred that he's assessing all his options and not rushing into a decision. In his latest interview, Seixas insisted that he's not getting caught up by the weight of expectations as he points to his Il Lombardia triumph seeing him end the season strongly.
“I understand the question, but… these things don’t bother me. Nor do they distract me from doing my job. I’m simply happy to have embarked on this path,” Seixas told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Paul Seixas
“I don’t know where I’ll end up"
“I don’t know where I’ll end up, nobody does, but 2026 has been excellent; I’m very pleased with it. And finishing the season at Il Lombardia was fantastic.”
Asked about his inspirations in the sport, Seixas's young age means that he's witnessed the rise of Tadej Pogacar during his formative years. He sees a rider he now rubs shoulders with as his greatest role model.
“I’m not sure ‘idol’ is the right word, ‘role model’ might be better. That said, I know it’s not a very original answer, but I’d have to say Pogacar.
“Not just because he’s the best, but because of his style, both in and out of competition. He’s on his way to becoming the greatest of all time. His presence pushes me, and everyone else, to improve. Maybe one day I’ll reach his level, maybe not, but either way, I’ll keep trying.”
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Seixas on 2027 season schedule
When it comes to his preparations, Seixas is intent on keeping up to scratch with the time trial discipline. The race against the clock takes added importance at the 2027 Tour de France as two time trials during the Grand Tour serve up 71 kilometres in total for the overall contenders.
Seixas has also previously mentioned the Giro d'Italia as a potential goal in 2027. He reiterated that his schedule is still not set in stone as he enjoys the rest period following a busy season.
“That’s my intention. I feel comfortable on a time-trial bike, and I want to keep working on it regardless—not just because it’s essential if you hope to win a Grand Tour. I’ll stick with this approach, as it’s worked well so far.
“At the moment, everything is possible regarding my race schedule for next season. I’ll discuss it with the team, and we’ll decide together what’s best."
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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- maybe we should put our cv at the end of each comment post ... same rights for all of us!Ketterechts01-11-2026
- hahah literally all it is. Glad im not the only one noticing, essentially this is just a blog as it is now. Run buy boys from their bedroom hehe Their very subjective aswell, people on twitter even said their pure visma fanboys, if you listen to Ruben silva guy pre TDF this year all he said turned out to be wrong and constantly fail to realize visma isnt where they was before roster wice or means to contest even RBH or Lidl anymore, ,very biased ppl and when you run ''news articles that way its problematic..miguel01-11-2026
- The new joke of the year in 2027: "If both guys (Pogi and Seixas) finish upright on their bikes and both don't get sick for some reason, I think Paul will fight Tadej to the end and will possibly beat him in 2027 at the Tour, yes, I just said that." ... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ...PogiSloFans01-11-2026
- Cutting his suit up and getting him to sign it while quite seriously injured is absolutely ghoulishwrsty01-11-2026
- 24 years old?Ketterechts01-11-2026
- Hey @frieder3, yeah sure, bull crap. What experience? You have no eyperience, you're an amateur cyclist... and to make things even worse, you're a lousy amateur cyclist. So what you're saying about your C7 has no relevance... do you even know where C7 is in your body? No, it's not in your knee!!! PS: Trump loves ya... 😍😍😍PogiSloFans01-11-2026
- He won't have a neck problem until he's older and arthritis kicks in lil guy !frieders301-11-2026
- Yep I find any way possible to not have other listen to Bob and VandeVelde commenting on a bike race. His annoying wrong predictions and irritating chuckle are mute worthy!frieders301-11-2026
- 20 winners for 3rd year in a row!Lozza31-10-2026
- peak power minimum weight- 2025 they managed it, 2026 they overdid it leaving her empty. Upto Roubaix it is power and then they start reducing weight leading to the TDF. How much and how fast with a larger degree of uncertainty with weight means you cannot really approach it with surety that it will always work.abstractengineer31-10-2026
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