Paul Seixas spotted training on iconic Tour de France climb - Massive boost for teenager as he gets preparations back on track

Paul Seixas' Tour de France dream is back on wheels, literally. The French teenager crashed at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes earlier this month, and after undergoing medical treatments and an MRI scan, has resumed full training with teammates this week.

His first Tour de France participation is very much on, and in a boost to Decathlon CMA CGM, the French rider was reportedly scouting one of the key points of this summer's Grand Boucle - the legendary Col du Galibier.

Local newspaper Le Dauphiné reported that the French rider climbing the highest point of the 2026 Tour on Thursday, with teammates Nicolas Prodhomme, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Gregor Mühlberger, and Matthew Riccitello.

Romain Bardet, who was announced as the team's future sports manager, also rode with Seixas. Decathlon had previously said that Seixas and his teammates would carry out recon rides of the three Alpine stages in a final training camp before the Grand Depart.

Seixas had reportedly completed several indoor training sessions since last Wednesday, riding for three or four hours a day. He arrived at Les Arcs last Thursday and has remained there

The news comes after Seixas was handed a boost as he was cleared to compete at the Grand Boucle. Decathlon, on the other hand, are sweating over the fitness of Daan Hoole with their team announcement delayed.

According to L’Equipe, further examinations after his crash and a new MRI scan on Tuesday morning did not reveal anything likely to compromise his participation in the Tour, which starts on 4 July.

The latest MRI was carried out to remove doubts linked to wounds or haematomas sustained in the crash. For Decathlon, that is the positive part of a Tour build-up that has otherwise become more complicated.

The team cancelled a press conference scheduled for Wednesday at Les Arcs, where Seixas and his planned Tour de France team-mates were due to appear.

According to L’Equipe, that decision was not linked to Seixas’ health. Instead, several other riders are currently ill and remain uncertain for the Tour, although the affected riders are not believed to be those currently at the Les Arcs training camp alongside Seixas.

Daan Hoole is among the names mentioned, with the Dutch rider having withdrawn from Thursday’s time trial at the Dutch National Championships. Decathlon therefore opted to cancel the planned press conference because it could not yet present a complete Tour de France line-up.