Paul Seixas better than Pogacar at 19 but "Evenepoel was at least as good" - Jan Bakelants

It would be hard to imagine that any rider at the start of 2026 would be able to share the spotlight with Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Remco Evenepoel... But that is the case, as Paul Seixas' stratospheric rise through the ranks of the sport has gotten everyone's attention and has put perhaps the highest expectations that a 19-year old professional cyclist has ever had. However where is the natural limit of the comparisons he must go under? Former pro Jan Bakelants argues that he is perhaps only matched by Remco Evenepoel when he was the same age.

Bakelants, a pro for many years and current gravel racer, besides regular pundit for the Belgian media, has put forward just how impressive the Frenchman's recent feats were, specially at Strade Bianche. "Seixas tried for a long time to put up a fight against Pogacar in the Strade. We haven't seen the 19-year-old Pogacar do anything like that," Bakelants argued in words to Sporza.

Whilst it did not end in a win, Strade Bianche is one of the hardest races in the entire calendar and also require a tremendous amount of endurance, positioning ability and bike handling - not just impressive watts. Hence, the Frenchman's ride, pacing and then dropping none other than Isaac del Toro in the finale against all common logic, was even stronger of a point to back up his incredible talent.

Bakelants believes Seixas is above who Tadej Pogacar was at his age, but not Remco Evenepoel. "But to temper the Seixas hype a bit: at 19, a certain Remco Evenepoel was at least as good, or perhaps even better, than Seixas. Because Remco won the Clasica San Sebastian at 19 in a very impressive manner."

Evenepoel's debut season in 2019, straight out of the junior ranks, not only included that San Sebastián solo win but also an European time trial title, GC win at the Baloise Belgium Tour and a second place at the time trial World Championships. This happened at a time where a rider coming off the junior ranks into the World Tour was virtually unheard of; whilst at the time, Seixas was only one of several riders to make the same jump.

However his talent is undeniable and whilst many, including Sean Kelly this week, have argued that Seixas should not be rushed into a Tour de France debut this summer already, it seems to be the likely path for the Frenchman who has been breaking every barrier so far since turning pro just over 12 months ago. Tadej Pogacar won his first Tour de France in his debut with a lineup that did not feature much support, and so there is a strong point for Seixas to do the same.

That is backed up by none other than Tom Boonen. "I wouldn't wait too long. As a Frenchman, it is difficult to say that you start the Tour to learn. But given the form, the team, and the vibe Seixas is currently in, I would definitely let him ride the Tour this year," he explains.

Decathlon CMA CGM Team already have Felix Gall and Matthew Riccitello set to lead the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España if nothing else; whilst the Tour de France lineup would on paper be set to chase stage wins and also back up the currently out-of-action Olav Kooij for the sprints. If Seixas were to be added to the lineup, it wouldn't be one fully focused in his GC ambitions, which would limit the amount of pressure on his shoulders.

And of course, although he only has a current contract until 2027, Decathlon could well do it so as to ultimately prepare Seixas for a potentially more ambitious tilt at the Tour next season - as well as using his year's Tour as evidence of their commitment to backing up his ambitions and wishes.

"He doesn't have to ride that race to win immediately. He can try it, though, and see where he cracks. Then he can work on the weaknesses that have emerged afterwards," Boonen argues.