"There is a real chance he will hit his limits! - Paul Seixas' Tour de France debut through the eyes of Greg van Avermaet

It is widely expected that within the coming weeks Paul Seixas' debut at the Tour de France will be announced, a scenario that most are ready for and share their opinions on. Former Olympic Champion Greg van Avermaet believes that the Grand Boucle could be the race that brings the Frenchman's monumental rise in the world of cycling to a halt.

The 19-year old has been having a stellar season so far, finishing second at the Volta ao Algarve (to Juan Ayuso); Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (to Tadej Pogacar). Inbetween, he on La Flèche Wallonne and also Itzulia Basque Country alongside three stages. His evolution since turning pro is notable and last summer he won the under-23 Tour de France in his first year out of the juniors.

Seixas is one of the cases of riders who skipped the under-23 category entirely, and for good reason. Decathlon CMA CGM Team have provided him with the space to perform, and at this point in time he is already an absolute leader and priority within the team - and, according to several reports, a priority for other teams as well who are interested in signing him.

But can the Tour de France be the race that puts a stop to his rise? "As a French rider in a French team, the pressure at the Tour will be enormous. If you get a puncture, there will be twenty journalists at the finish wanting to know what happened," Greg van Avermaet argued in words to Het Nieuwsblad. The former pro argues that at the Tour, everything is bigger; and Seixas will have to deal with more pressure than ever before if he makes it to the start in Barcelona this July.

"You also have an obligation to your sponsors to film content — something that is much less demanding at other races. At the Vuelta, you need to be in position 40 kilometers from the finish. At the Tour, you have to start fighting for position 100 kilometers out."

Whilst the Belgian was never a Grand Tour contender, he took part in the Grand Boucle nine times, and also rode alongside many GC riders. He's learnt the requirements of such an intense race.

"You should not underestimate what it means to be focused every single day for three weeks as a GC rider, with no room for error," he argues. "And then there is the pressure the rider puts on himself — plus the pressure from the team. Leaders earn big money, and in return they are expected to deliver."

But aside from that, van Avermaert warns towards the common sense argument: Seixas' age. "You cannot underestimate the impact of a Grand Tour on a 19-year-old's body. I'm not expecting major problems with Seixas specifically — but if he goes for the GC, there is a real chance he will hit his limits."

So far his evolution over the past few months has been notable, and a stabilization is inevitable. However, it is not known where his level will stabilize, or if he has already reached it. Whilst his potential looks limitless, the ability to get the best out of a rider is better in modern cycling and it can't be ruled out that the Frenchman is hitting his physical peak already.

Van Avermaet brings Remco Evnepeoel into the conversation as an example of what the pressure and demands of a Grand Tour can do to a rider, even a world-class one: "We have already seen it with him, the body saying 'stop, this is too much.' And there is something else I think matters: you have to keep a rider hungry. If you serve him the main course (in this case the Tour, ed.) straight away, what is left?"