"The goal isn’t to beat Tadej Pogacar when he’s declining — it’s to beat him when he’s at his best": Paul Seixas sets his sights on Slovenian superstar

Paul Seixas has made no secret of his lofty ambitions. Speaking on Eurosport's Bistrot Vélo this Monday, just days after finishing seventh at Il Lombardia, Seixas reflected on the challenge of chasing Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian who continues to dominate the sport in 2025. For the 19-year-old Frenchman, the goal isn’t merely to close the gap — it’s to surpass Pogacar at his peak.

“It’s not about beating him when he’s on the decline, but to beat him when he’s at his level,” Seixas says firmly, setting his sights on the Slovenian superstar. “That’s the level you need today if you want to win the biggest races.”

Seixas’ respect for Pogacar is clear. Over the course of his debut professional season, the Frenchman has tried to match the Slovenian’s formidable pace four times — at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the World Championships, the European Championships, and Il Lombardia. Each time, Pogacar came out on top, but with the teenage sensation impressing behind. As such, Seixas has been left both humbled and motivated.

“Not straight away, no,” Seixas admitted. “We all know the level of performance he’s capable of. We’re going to train to try to beat him — that’s sport. There are still big steps to take first. There’s a lot of work to do, that’s for sure.”

Despite the daunting task, Seixas views Pogacar less as an obstacle and more as a benchmark for excellence. “He’s one of the most complete riders out there,” Seixas explained. “Whatever the race, he’s always ready to win. Whatever the terrain, whatever the effort — whether it’s two minutes or an hour — he’s the strongest. It’s pretty crazy. He’s a huge source of inspiration, because that’s how you become an all-rounder and win general classifications. We’re trying to understand how he does it.”

Seixas is also acutely aware of the generational gap — he is eight years younger than Pogacar — yet he approaches the challenge with patience and perspective. “It means we’re not part of the same generation. At some point, if everything goes well, he’ll start to decline before I do. But the goal isn’t to beat him when he’s declining — it’s to beat him when he’s at his best.”

Rather than rushing the process, Seixas prefers to focus on incremental progress. “It feels a long way off for me. There are so many steps to reach that level. I prefer to take a step back and remind myself that I still have time to progress. I’m improving at my own pace. There’s no point in saying I have to reach his level in two years. I’d rather keep progressing gradually and be the best version of myself.”

Seixas’ measured approach, combined with the raw talent he has displayed in his first season, marks him as one of France’s brightest young prospects. While Pogacar continues to set the standard, Seixas’ ambition, discipline, and self-awareness suggest he is willing to bide his time — but not indefinitely. The message is clear: when he is ready, he intends to challenge the very best on his own terms.