"Olav Kooij should not go to the Tour de France next year" - Has Paul Seixas shown enough for sole leadership at 2027 Tour de France?
Cycling
On this week's CyclingUpToDate Podcast, Rúben Silva and Gavin Quinn have discussed the evolution of Decathlon CMA CGM Team, who have signed several climbers this winter so as to boost Paul Seixas' chances of succeeding. But how far can the French team go at the 2027 Tour de France.
The route was revealed this past week, featuring over 70 kilometers of flat time trialing kilometers - the discipline in which Seixas captured a medal this past month at the World Championships. His debut this summer was met with success, finishing fourth in the overall classification and remaining consistent throughout the entire three weeks - at age 19.
The team's recent signings of Pavel Sivakov, Laurens de Plus and Ben O'Connor hint at the team pursuing the best possible support crew for the French prodigy, who is expected to return to the Tour de France next summer.
"I think Decathlon aren't going to go into the Tour with the thought of 'we just have to keep up, let's try to keep someone with Seixas'. No, they can take initiative this time around and they can be the ones calling the shots almost," Silva said.
Paul Seixas' climbing block grows
The trio might join the likes of Matthew Riccitello, Nicolas Prodhomme, Callum Scotson and Léo Bisiaux when it comes to backing up the mountains; whilst the likes of Tiesj Benoot and Daan Hoole have proved to be quality road captains for the youngster.
The team's depth may also prove very important if the team is struck with bad luck ahead of the Tour. "It gives them way more options because if the injury strikes or if illness strikes in the weeks before the tour, they have more options. And in aggregate, I think Decathlon can be definitely a stronger force than they were this year".
Paul Seixas on his way to winning the 2026 Il Lombardia
WIll Olav Kooij race the Tour de France in 2027?
Seixas' recent Il Lombardia victory further cemented him at the top of the cycling world, now a monument winner shortly after turning 20 years old. This year, he shared leadership duties with Olav Kooij at the Tour de France. The Dutch sprinter won the first sprint stage this year, but will the team select him once again next year?
"I don't think that there should be much of a question that Olav Koi should not go to the Tour de France next year," Silva said, leaving very little room for discussion. "He's gone this year, he's taken a stage win, and this year it made full sense - because putting seven riders behind a 19-year-old at the Tour, no matter how good he is, be realistic, be adult... Decathlon knew what to do. I think they did it right".
But Kooij's success is only one factor in the team's overall strategy, and Silva believes his strengths could be used better at the Giro d'Italia in 2027, providing both leaders with full support in their main goals.
"Felix Gall is out of the team, and I think that it makes perfect sense to have Olav Kooij at the Giro d'Italia with his lead-out men, chase stage wins there. And have a proper GC block backing up Paul Seixas at the Tour, because at this point in time, he's proven he can do the three weeks. He can go for the white jersey, he can go for the podium, those are already very realistic expectations. The sky's the limit".
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Ultimately, as the French team look to renew Seixas, it could also prove important to give the Frenchman absolute leadership and prove that he is in the right place to pursue Tour de France glory over the coming years.
"Decathlon's ultimate goal is to win the Tour de France with a French rider. Maybe it's too early, but it's an opportunity next year. I don't think it would make sense to leave something on the table if that were to be possible".
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- I think this will be a breakout year for Seixas. The course suits him, Tadej's C7 fracture is going to hurt him this year on the tt bike, I know they are talking about a different position for him right now. But his road bike racing will not be affected. If he comes healthy and doesn't crash, he wins. If he has a small issue with anything Paul might take advantage and take his first Tour. This is Remco's last chance to win a Tour but being honest he can't win it. The old guard is shifting but Tadej will remain for another few years.awp29-10-2026
- In my opinion, I'd like to give him a few races to get his 'legs'. This is the end of the season and an ideal time for him to get some valuable racing time for next year. Also, here's another rider coming back from devastating injury. Also, how much sprinting time will he get with Brennan as their main sprinter?Paggss29-10-2026
- Nah. Seixas for a Giro-Vuelta double. Kooij for the Tour
Rafionain-Glas29-10-2026 - it puts food on the table - I don’t see it as arrogant, but it is my opinion. and if that is his food budget, good for him. they are using his image to make money of which he is not profiting. whatever that is worth is money due to him, and if he wants to spend it on food, great. of course he isn’t. it is a play on words.mij29-10-2026
- Fantastic news!anonymouscyclist29-10-2026
- Why not 11 then?Rafionain-Glas29-10-2026
- Crikey... Zonneveld in charge of a team... never knew that was possible. You learn new things every dayRafionain-Glas29-10-2026
- Eccelente! Although cutd are a bit late to report on thisRafionain-Glas29-10-2026
- What he said!!Lozza29-10-2026
- If Tadej stays healthy, I don’t see the slightest chance of Remco winning the Tour. And then there are Jonas and Paul.MajorPayne29-10-2026
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