"Seixas will also really like this route" - Belgian pundit would not be surprised to see Paul Seixas Giro debut in 2027
Cycling
Paul Seixas has emerged as one of the riders who could benefit from the mountainous 2027 Giro d'Italia route, with Eurosport commentator Jeroen Vanbelleghem backing the Frenchman to relish the challenge if he makes his debut in Italy. After finishing fourth on his first Tour de France appearance and becoming the youngest winner of Il Lombardia, the 20-year-old has already raised the possibility of targeting Giro victory next season.
"Seixas will also really like this route if he decides to ride the Giro," Vanbelleghem told Eurosport following Tuesday's presentation in Rome. "The question is which of the top riders will choose which Grand Tour."
Seixas's fourth place at the 2026 Tour came at just 19, before he added a World Championship time trial bronze medal and a historic Il Lombardia victory in October. Earlier in the season, he had also won La Fleche Wallonne and the general classification at Itzulia Basque Country.
The Decathlon CMA CGM Team rider has since acknowledged that targeting overall victory at the 2027 Giro is an option, although he remains attracted by another appearance at the Tour. His programme is expected to be settled during the team's December training camp.
Could Paul Seixas target a Giro d'Italia debut in 2027?
A Giro debut or a return to the Tour de France?
Vanbelleghem highlighted the eight uphill finishes at the Giro, including the climbing time trial to Campo di Giove, compared with three summit finishes on the 2027 Tour route. "The Giro is very much a route for climbers, although the puncheurs will be happy too," he explained.
The final week features two ascents of the Mortirolo with the Passo di Gavia between them, followed by Madonna di Campiglio and a penultimate-stage summit finish on Monte Zoncolan. There are also 56.9 kilometres of individual time trialling, including a 37.3-kilometre test between Monza and Milan.
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Seixas's World Championship bronze against the clock suggests the time trials would hold little fear for him. Equally, the 71 kilometres of individual time trialling at the Tour need not be a disadvantage, while his fourth place this summer leaves him within striking distance of a first podium in France.
The World Championships in Haute-Savoie will also be a major consideration. Seixas has identified the mountainous road race as one of his principal objectives for 2027, with the Giro in May and Tour in July offering different preparation schedules.
There is a personal attraction to the Tour too. Its 2027 route passes through Haute-Savoie, close to where his grandparents live, something Seixas has already highlighted when discussing his options. The region will also host the World Championships in late August, adding another home-road opportunity to a season in which he could be challenging for his first Grand Tour victory.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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