Paul Seixas backed by experienced and exciting line-up - France announce their team for the 2026 World Championships
CyclingFriday, 11 September 2026 at 14:30
Paul Seixas will enjoy the full backing of the France national team at the Montreal World Championships. Starting at the time trial on September 20th, the Decathlon CMA CGM sensation will then lead France in the elite men's road race on Sunday, September 27th.
Thomas Voeckler's selection includes some heavyweight and experienced support, Seixas' Decathlon teammates and some exciting young climbers as he looks to follow up his 4th place at the Tour de France with a potential rainbow jersey in the absence of Tadej Pogacar in Montreal.
Pavel Sivakov, Bruno Armirail, Jordan Labrosse, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Louis Barré, Nicolas Prodhomme, and Alex Baudin make up the French line-up in support of Seixas. Meanwhile in the time trial, Seixas will be joined by Bruno Armirail in the race against the clock.
Speaking after his arrival in Canada to prepare for the Championships, Seixas believes his Tour debut in July has given him an added confidence and perspective that he didn't yet have before.
“It is certainly true that I have more confidence in myself now,” Seixas told press in Quebec.
Paul Seixas in action on Stage 6 of the 2026 Tour de France
Seixas builds for World Championships
“The most important thing for the coming days is that I can measure myself against my main rivals for the World Championships. After that, of course, we want to ride the best possible race at the World Championships. With the French team, we will be ambitious.”
Looking in the rear view at the Tour and its potential life-changing impact on the Frenchman, Seixas didn't go as far as saying it changed his life.
However, he noted that the attention, pressure and support did change his perspective and cycling life when it comes to what he can do and how he will deal with pressure, including the World Championships.
'Crazy' Tour de France experience
“By a distance, it was actually quite crazy. There were so many people cheering me on, and of course the other French riders as well. That passion from my compatriots is special. It gives me a boost every day and the strength to keep fighting until the end.
“After the Tour, that naturally plays an even bigger role, and actually after my entire season, which has already been quite incredible so far. The approach towards me is different than it used to be. But it doesn't change my life. I mainly continue doing the things I enjoy myself.”
Seixas will have turned 20 by the time he takes to the line for the elite men's road race. He faces stiff competition despite Pogacar's absence as the contenders line up - with a new rainbow jersey set to be crowned in Canada.
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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- Let's hope it's been mangled in translationwrsty11-09-2026
- Puzzled what mental illness has to be going for stage win. Crashes in the peleton have no link to mental illness just poor judgement riding or not paying attention. Please do not link mental illness to crashes .paultryan200211-09-2026
- I swear to god if Roglič does the same thing to Mas as he did to Thomas at the Giro, I'll fkn laugh my head off. LET HIM HAVE IT, ROGLA... crush him like your compatriot, Pogi The Great, would crush him. Baby Hulk would say "SMASH !!!"PogiSloFans11-09-2026
- I swear to god if Roglic does the same thing to Mas as he did to Thomas at the Giro, I'll fkn cry. LET HIM HAVE ONE, ROGLAwrsty11-09-2026
- It's called "supply and demand". People tend to be paid what they're worth (their discounted marginal value product). Just because he's the greatest cyclist, doesn't mean he would ever get paid what the greatest tennis player would be paid. There is more to the calculation than talent and hard work.acem8211-09-2026
- You’re going to have to come to correct often, CHF is dropping like a Tête de Moine rolling down from Bellelay.Mistermaumau10-09-2026
- So, I see despite my request that not only haven’t you reviewed your figures or commented since someone here did some better maths than you (thanks) but you made zero effort to think about the costs involved in collecting the fines. The original expression stems from written statements and promises that can’t be trusted but in the era of automation it received a second life when people started complaining about receiving bills (in the days when everything was done by post) to pay that didn’t cover the price of the stamp on the envelope let alone the costs of sending the bill, e.g rectification bills or utility bills for unoccupied lodgings. The minimum monthly salary in the poorest part of Switzerland is over 4000€ which sets employers back close to 6000€. UCI employees are unlikely to be on minimum salary, being sent abroad is likely to be associated with higher wages but also expenses to pay (travel & lodgings (different location every day), food & drink & a stipend) plus unseen expenses like insurance, min 4000km worth of fuel, etc. Then you forget office, admin & personnel costs, costs of enforcement and collection, accounting, bank fees, etc. run a company a while and see how money leaks out invisibly non-stop. Once there, a commissaire needs a vehicle, and a driver (can’t drive and officiate or write notes simultaneously) Up to stage 18 they fined 12400CHF, 3 stages left. EVEN if they sent only ONE commissaire, they’re not breaking even at this rate. With just 2, they’re losing. Of course by your calculation of raking in over 60k, yeah you could call it that way but you could also just write a fiction in your snazzy UCI office about a golden egg laying goose and earn far more from selling that than doing this, if it didn’t infringe copyright. Now, there is a possibility that these people aren’t even UCi employees but just officials paid fir missions. The going rate for that is 250CHF/day. Add 100 for hotel and 100 for expenses and you’re billing 450 a day for 30 days almost without the other necessary costs, same result.Mistermaumau10-09-2026
- Thought you you retired cuz your golden boy is out for the year? Dang now we get more of your nonsense for free!frieders310-09-2026
- Oh boy, still here? Here’s an idea, donate 1 Euro to each team for every post you’re making since your supposed retirement here. If that’s not enough, they can sell autographs or auction off their paraphernalia. I think compared to similar sports (swimming, triathlon, running) they do pretty well these days. They probably also earn better than rugby or cricket. Did you see what people were prepared to pay for the WC, Superbowl or Tennis finals? Where will cycling rake in that kind of money without Infantinotising its soul? LIV has applied for bankruptcy, Michael Johnson’s reputation has taken a big hit, the enhanced games won’t be enhancing much more, Saudi laundromoney is drying up, bike sales are plummeting, it’s not the best time to be asking for pay rises. Besides, there are plenty of others willing to take any freed up places for lower wages and it’s rare to get offered much better for the same performance by switching employer (perhaps because employers got burnt a few times in the past). And now excuse me, I have to go take care of this golden goose crapMistermaumau10-09-2026
- From none to 2 stage wins in a Grand Tour. Chapeau, Tudor. Maybe it'll be more by the end
Rafionain-Glas10-09-2026
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