Paul Seixas and Tadej Pogacar's potential 2027 rivalry? - French legend Hinault sends clear warning to Decathlon teenager ahead of World Championships
Cycling
The time is now for Paul Seixas if he wants to win a World Championships rainbow jersey. With a wide-open field after the absence of Tadej Pogacar was confirmed, the Slovenian's potential involvement in next year's championships will be present a difficult prospect.
That's according to French cycling legend Berard Hinault, who insisted that Pogacar's likely presence at the 2027 Savoie World Championships mean that the Decathlon rider should try his best to win the rainbow jersey this month rather than wait for a home roads opportunity next Autumn.
A climbing-heavy World Championships is scheduled for 2027, favouring Seixas, who made a decisive breakthrough this season as he rivalled Pogacar at Liege-Bastogne-Liege before an excellent fourth place at the Tour de France.
Looking beyong this month's championship, Hinault believes that although the parcours is in his favour, Pogacar's presence would present a 'fierce' challenge to overcome.
“The circuit certainly won't disadvantage him,” Hinault told Le Dauphiné.
“But if Pogacar is there, he could be pretty fierce. And there are plenty of others as well."
Paul Seixas led the team at the Tour de France
Pogacar absence changes 2026 World Championships dynamics
Looking at 2027 is perhaps far-sighted given a rainbow jersey is up for grabs in less than three weeks. Seixas is expected to lead the French selection at the race, and without Pogacar, Hinault believes many will come with an aggressive approach and confidence that they can win it.
"I think we'll get an idea in Canada this year of how things might play out. With the boss not there, everybody will want to win, and perhaps that will give people some ideas for 2027.”
Without the Slovenian, the race is certainly a level playing field as many arrive with credible evidence to suggest they can be a contender. The French selection is yet to be confirmed, but is expected to be in support of Seixas.
Big opportunity without Pogacar
“He should take the jersey whenever he can,” Hinault said .
“This year he has an incredible opportunity without Pogacar, and he is at the same level as several of the other contenders. We don't have the French selection yet, but there will inevitably be some very strong riders, and there are others from different countries who can win as well.”
Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert will lead Belgium and Mathieu van der Poel the Netherlands, while other key contenders come in the form of Mads Pedersen, Tom Pidcock, Juan Ayuso and Isaac del Toro among others.
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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