"The goal isn't to replace Pogacar when he's gone, but to beat him one day" - Paul Seixas

Paul Seixas is racing the Faun-Ardèche Classic today in the same course where last year he joined Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel at the European Championships. The Frenchman's goal is to reach their level, and at age 19, he found himself in a packed room ahead of the French one-day race after taking his first pro win at the Volta ao Algarve and boosting his palmarès further.

"I wouldn't say my status has changed completely, but it's no longer a surprise that I'm here," Seixas said to the Dauphine Liberé. "I'm at the front, and that's what's expected now. The real change is that I won't necessarily have to discover new races, but rather focus on getting results, confirming my status, and continuing to progress to get closer to my best form".

He's got a spring with a schedule that will constantly see him go up against top competition, however he is aiming for more wins such as that he achieved on the Alto da Fóia. "The goal is to raise my arms to the sky as much as possible, but to do that, you have to compete with the best. There was already a strong starting field at the Volta ao Algarve, but it's against those riders who have the greatest impact on a race that I need to compete to see what I need to reach the highest level."

He is touted as the potential next French Tour de France winner, a huge weight on his shoulders, but something that does not scare him. “For now, I still have to improve. Pogacar, Evenepoel, and Vingegaard are still at a higher level. But right now, I want to see how I've improved compared to last year, when I already had the chance to race against them. I think if you're afraid, you've already lost".

The Decathlon CMA CGM Team rider is very young but is already being pointed towards the very top, whilst a Tour de France debut later this year seems quite likely. He was, naturally, asked about racing against Tadej Pogacar - something which will also happen at Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"I'm not afraid; that's too strong a word and doesn't describe how I feel at the start of a race. I'd say more respect; I have a lot of respect for these riders," he assures. Simultaneously, he drops in a statement regarding his ambitions, and how he is looking to come for Tadej Pogacar's reign in the sport:

"In any case, I want to give 100% against the best. You have to win when all the strongest riders are there. That's the most important and rewarding thing for a rider with a competitive spirit. The goal isn't to replace Pogacar when he's gone, but to beat him one day.”