UAE is on the hunt for Paul Seixas, but it goes both ways - Key Pogacar domestique might be heading to Decathlon
CyclingSaturday, 14 March 2026 at 17:55
The transfer market is bustling in March and there is an active negotiation war between UAE Team Emirates - XRG and Decathlon CMA CGM Team. Not only is Paul Seixas in discussion with both teams, but so is Pavel Sivakov.
Seixas' brilliancy means that both UAE and INEOS Grenadiers are already displaying interest in the Frenchman, despite him having a contract until the end of 2027. However, whereas before Decathlon CMA CGM Team had a modest budget that wouldn't realistically be able to keep such a rising star, that is not the case anymore from 2026 onwards.
The team's entrance of new title sponsors in recent years has seen a significant increase in budget, reportedly of around €40 million this season. Whilst they have not yet been able to take advantage of it, it is said that Olav Kooij was brought in a €3 million euro a year deal, the largest of any sprinter in the sport's history.
The team is going to have its work cut out for with Seixas, as UAE mainly is certainly going to make a strong push to sign the 19-year old. Negotiations are, according to Het Laatste Nieuws, at this timme going to be held back until after the Ardennes classics, with his value constantly changing due to knew performances and results on the sheet.
Pavel Sivakov and Jordan Jegat to Decathlon?
However Decathlon isn't just fighting a war to maintain its rising star, but according to L'Équipe, it is also on the hunt for new riders to add into its climber block. Whilst the presence of Felix Gall, Matthew Riccitello and Nicolas Prodhomme is not to be ignored, its no match to the likes of UAE and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, which could see Seixas in a similar situation to that of Remco Evenepoel in recent seasons.
The French news outlet has reported that Decathlon is in advanced talks with Pavel Sivakov, a rider who is part of UAE since 2024 and has been part of Tadej Pogacar's Tour de France-winning lineups for the past two seasons; as well as providing key support for the Slovenian at the 2024 World Championships.
L'Équipe argues a deal is virtually made and will have three years in duration. For UAE it is a hit, but if Sivakov is to make the move, he is likely to directly be used to support Seixas and be part of the argument for his stay in the team.
Furthermore, it is said that Jordan Jegat, 10th at last year's Tour de France and current leader for TotalEnergies, could be on his way to Decathlon. The French ProTeam is going to be without a title sponsor for next season and unless it finds one within the coming months, it could follow the same path that Arkéa - B&B Hotels.
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- This article should be titled what it really is: Pogi is a freak of nature and here's whymd197514-03-2026
- Sexias should not go to UAE to have a reduced role and be Pogacar domestique or go to less important races. Goto Ineosabstractengineer14-03-2026
- Then 2022 and 2023 happened and he got a reality check from Jonas.abstractengineer14-03-2026
- UAE didn't learn from Ayuso, they've Del Toro, who's obviously a great up and coming rider! But Gianetti wants more, again just like he had with Ayuso.. 3's a crowd! Same with Ineos, they've soo many also-rans like UAE.. Decathlon just need to up the cash of Seixas and let it be tho the stupid Agents will soup it's and create the mire and of courses, cyclinguptodate will stir as much as they can...
leedorney14-03-2026 - Pogačar has not won Sanremo and Roubaix unlike Mathieu who has won Strade
Rafionain-Glas14-03-2026 - This stage is dangerous, particularly Col de la Porte. Tomorrow's weather is not forecasted to be as bad, but there is still an 80% chance of rain (higher than today but snow less likely). The altitude is 1100 m and this is made worse by the road. The descent is eight and half kilometres long with around twenty-five hairpins, and it is in the sweet spot for speed (5-7%). The road surface is also not particularly great (it's not bad though) and the barriers by the side (there is a significant drop) are not very large and may not stop a rider going off the edge. It is also reasonably windy (some gusts can reach 50 km/hr or more). The road will be wet and slippery, and it is narrow, being only 4-5 m wide in most places. The climb is less dangerous but crashes are certainly possible (as we saw today) and the road is sheltered by trees. The climb is very inconsistent and many parts are in the double digits, requiring riders to go out of the saddle. Col de la Porte should be removed from the course because it is just as dangerous if not more so than today's stage. Removing it would also mean that Côte de Châteauneauf can't be used (there would be no way to access it without using new roads which have not been authorised, though unless the start is moved to the bottom of the climb near Contes), and so the only roads which can be used are the ten-kilometre long valley roads on either side of Le Var, and the thirteen-kilometre Côte de Linguador loop (which is done once in the original route). Rerouting the stage so that it features the valley roads in the beginning and several laps of the Linguador loop in the middle would be much better and will provide exciting racing if it can be done (10 laps will make a 155 km stage with 4000 m of climbing, mostly on the 10 ascents of Col de Linguador, which is 3.3 km at 8.2%, maximum into the double digits with the steepest pitch being 20%). Otherwise, if action is not taken earlier, then the stage will be cut off and we'll end up with a short procession. Or worse, it'll go ahead and we'll see some serious crashes, wity fatalities bring a genuine possibility.Rafionain-Glas14-03-2026
- Yeah, and he constantly keeps avoiding Pogi at Strade Bianche. On the other hand, Pogi came to his races ala Paris Roubaix, Milan Sanremo and Flanders... and when Pogi loses he keeps coming back again.Mou-Cro-HR14-03-2026
- Where's MVDP? Strange how the "GOAT" goes backwards as soon as the road goes upward.. haha.. He sprints like a gazelle, but climbs like a koala.. Oh yes, he finds mountain stages boring.. I understand.FredMan14-03-2026
- Terrible summary of the interview. Anyone who didn't watch it would have no clue that del Toro had mixed feelings because he had to deny his best friend Pellizzari victory in his home town. Today we saw some domestíques redeem themselves. Jan Christen made up for the previous day and Primo Roglizzo did a good leadout - not much, but it's a startRafionain-Glas14-03-2026
- somewhere Andy Hampsten is shaking his head with this article titlemij14-03-2026
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