"We're eager for tomorrow to see where Paul stands" - Seixas faces true Tour de France test as Decathlon brace for Col du Tourmalet
CyclingThursday, 09 July 2026 at 12:30
Paul Seixas' date with Tour de France destiny is upon him as the teenage sensation is set to measure himself against Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and the rest of the general classification contenders on the slopes of the legendary Col du Tourmalet.
Stage 6 of La Grand Boucle will see the Decathlon CMA CGM hang with the best in a high mountain stage. The 19-year-old has been vocal in his ambitions for the race, stating that he would like to challenge for GC.
Seixas has remained in the GC fight over the opening five stages and proved he could match the GC intensity before the high mountains arrived. With over 4,000 metres of climbing, the Tour starts now for those with real yellow jersey intentions.
And for long-time sports director Julien Jurdie, Decathlon are going into the stage in good spirits after Olav Kooij's win on Wednesday. He believes the win can buoy Seixas and the team ahead of the Tourmalet.
Jurdie told CyclismActu: "This victory will free us up and allow us to approach the rest of the season with more confidence, especially the general classification starting tomorrow with Paul."
Seixas knows what to expect on iconic climb
"It was an opportunity we had to seize, and the guys did it in an impressive way. There are lots of smiles and joy at the hotel tonight."
Seixas has reconned the decisive climb and knows what to expect. But with UAE and Visma having their own plans, Jurdie thinks it will be an aggressive ascent for Seixas to contend with.
"Tomorrow is the first major stage for the general classification. Paul has reconnoitred the stage, so he knows what to expect," Jurdie said.
Paul Seixas on stage 2 of the 2026 Tour de France
Jurdie expects difficult climb
"We know it will be a very difficult moment and probably the highlight of this first week of the Tour de France. We imagine there will be attacks or a very high pace set by Visma | Lease a Bike or UAE Team Emirates - XRG."
In what he describes as the key moment of the Tour's first week. Jurdie thinks it will be a demanding stage, but admits his excitement for the big day.
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"It's the key moment of this first week; we'll have to be ready. There's already the Col d'Aspin before the Tourmalet, so it will be a demanding day. We've prepared ourselves mentally, and now we're eager for tomorrow to see where Paul stands against the best in the general classification."
The Tourmalet tops with 38 kilometers, and still a descent and climb to finish, much is at stake on the legendary climb's slopes. He concluded: "Even though the finish line isn't at the top and there are still kilometers to go, we know it's a crucial section. The advantage is that Paul reconnoitred it recently. So he's not going in blind."
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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- Yesterday I described how today's stage will go. Full control of UAE and no one from Visma, RedBull, Lidl and Decathlon on a breakaway. Anyone who thinks Pogi won't attack the Tourmalet hasn't been watching cycling for the last 3 years. Pogi-Baby Hulk is dressed in full white. Good luck to the rest of the peloton. Explanation: Baby Hulk is an extremely powerful Baby Hulk, being the 2nd son of the Savage Hulk-Bruce Banner. His real name is Tadej Pogačar Banner.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales09-07-2026
- Jonas also wants to be an alien, just like Pogi... so he put on a mask :))mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales09-07-2026
- Molenaar crash highlights how riders need to know the road ahead via team radio. a warning not to move around too much when road narrows.abstractengineer09-07-2026
- So happy for Kooij! Was my favorite pic for the fast man, but i am really hoping MADS can finish with the Green Jersey on Montmatre (21 stage)!!Alexcavalera09-07-2026
- Funny but not funny. I'm actually pissed. Sorry but not sorry.
parisbound0009-07-2026 - I expect they have no jurisdiction over that, sorry. Maybe ask the police? Besides, that’s like stopping people from throwing drinks (even in football stadiums) hard to be in the right place before it takes place to do something about it. Now, if other members of the public had a bit more civic courage to have a word sometimes, maybe everyone would behave a little more in line.Jumpyjohn09-07-2026
- Congrats! Love it when sprinters win without having to rely on a “sprint train lead out”b3tlla09-07-2026
- Commissaires fined 500 CHF for not adjusting the rules to environmental conditions and situations on the road.itsent09-07-2026
- Why do you post nonsensical comments Mou(se) ?frieders309-07-2026
- Lance who?frieders309-07-2026
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