"There is nothing normal about what Paul Seixas is doing" - Decathlon in awe of their teenage sensation at Tour de France
CyclingSunday, 12 July 2026 at 10:54
Paul Seixas might be the youngest Tour de France rider since 1937, but he's already proved he's not just there to make up the numbers. The Decathlon CMA CGM sensation enters a new world on Sunday as he hits a new milestone in his burgeoning career.
At 19-years-old, Seixas has enjoyed phenomenal success over the past few months, including WorldTour GC and stage wins as well as monument podiums and one-day classic wins. Arriving at the Tour de France, Seixas had lofty ambitions for the general classification.
And so far so good for the new French cycling hope. He sits in sixth place in GC after eight stages and well amongst the podium chasing pack despite Tadej Pogacar's runaway leadership. With Sunday's stage taking the peloton into the first rest day, Decathlon are in a good place.
For his sports director Julien Jurdie, he notes it's the first time Seixas has ever pinned a number for a ninth successive day, making it a major milestone in his career.
“We are entering completely new territory,” Jurdie told Cyclism'Actu. “Tomorrow is the ninth stage and he has never done more than eight stages in his young career. We must remember that he is only 19 years old."
Seixas rides into a new world
The world is Seixas' to explore, says Jurdie.
“We are going to discover a new world with him. We will help him and make sure everything goes well. There is no reason why it should not, but we still need to be careful.”
Seixas' strong performances have become the new normal for the team, but Jurdie has been in the car for many Tour de France editions with the team and insists there's nothing taken for granted.
“I do not know whether normal is the right word,” he said. “At 19 years old, he is sixth overall in the Tour de France. He finished fifth on a Pyrenean stage and fourth on another stage earlier in the Tour. There is nothing normal about what Paul Seixas is doing.”
Stage 9 offers a punchy parcours and an opportunity for the breakaway or punchy riders. Jurdie inists that the team will be vigilant for GC fireworks.
“It is a very unusual stage because it is extremely undulating, with some very narrow roads,” Jurdie said. “We have had this heat for more than a week, so the riders’ bodies are tired. It is beginning to feel long, both mentally and physically."
Seixas ready for third week and recovering well
“There could be many different scenarios on a roller coaster route like this. The riders will decide how hard the race becomes, whether that is in the peloton or through the breakaway. We could see some big battles, so we need to be very vigilant with Paul.”
Specifically describing how Seixas has responded to the Tour de France's relentless circus of riding, recovering and attention, he believes that he's in a good place.
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Still sporting bandages from his Tour Auvergne Rhone Alpes crash last month, the wounds are still healing but haven't presented any additional problems for the rider.
“His sensations are good and his recovery has been good. We will make a proper assessment after stage 9, but for now everything is looking positive. Paul is doing very well.”
He added: “The bandages are purely a precaution so the wounds can heal properly. With the perspiration and everything else, it is better to cover them than leave them exposed. We are taking good care of him and there are no medical concerns.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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