UAE is on the hunt for Paul Seixas, but it goes both ways - Key Pogacar domestique might be heading to Decathlon
Cycling
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.
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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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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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