Paul Seixas leads Decathlon’s ambitions in the Itzulia Basque Country 2026

The Decathlon CMA CGM Team has unveiled its line-up for the Itzulia Basque Country, and among the selected riders, one name stands out as a symbol of the team’s future: Paul Seixas.

Still at the very beginning of his professional career, Seixas has been one of the most eye-catching young riders in the peloton over the opening months of the season.

The Frenchman has consistently shown maturity beyond his years, combining strong climbing ability with an impressive capacity to position himself in demanding race situations. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and his inclusion in such a prestigious race underlines the confidence the team has in his development.

Seixas has already delivered several promising results in 2026, often riding aggressively and proving capable of holding his own against more experienced competitors. Whether in hilly terrain or selective race finales, he has demonstrated the kind of versatility that is essential in modern stage racing, particularly in an event as demanding as the Basque race.

The Itzulia Basque Country is widely regarded as one of the toughest one-week races on the calendar, known for its relentless parcours, steep climbs and explosive stages that leave little room for recovery. For a rider like Seixas, it represents both a major test and a valuable opportunity to continue his progression at WorldTour level.

Alongside him, the French team brings a balanced squad including Jordan Labrosse, Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Nicolas Prodhomme, supported by Matthew Riccitello and Johannes Staune-Mittet. A group built to handle the constant elevation changes and aggressive racing style typical of the Basque Country.

Seixas has already achieved several promising results in 2026, finishing 2nd overall in the Volta ao Algarve (the only stage race of his season), where he also won a stage and the youth jersey, as well as securing victory in the Faun-Ardèche Classic (1.Pro) and finishing 2nd behind Tadej Pogacar in the Strade Bianche.

The young Frenchman has already shown that he likes to race aggressively and has proven himself capable of holding his own against more experienced rivals.