Youngest since 1937: Paul Seixas leads Decathlon CMA CGM Team’s Tour de France squad with Olav Kooij included for sprint ambitions

Decathlon CMA CGM Team have confirmed their eight-rider lineup for the 2026 Tour de France, with Paul Seixas set for a historic debut as one of the headline names in the French team’s selection.

At 19 years, 9 months and 10 days on the day of the Grand Depart, Seixas will become the youngest rider to start the Tour de France since 1937. After a breakout 2026 season that has already marked him out as one of the most exciting young riders in the peloton, the Frenchman now heads to the biggest race in the sport in a leadership role.

Olav Kooij will also make his Tour de France debut as a protected rider, giving Decathlon CMA CGM Team a clear two-pronged approach. Seixas will target the best possible general classification result, while Kooij will be given sprint opportunities as the team chase at least one stage victory.

Seixas’ final build-up to the Tour was interrupted by his crash and abandonment at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, but the teenager says he has still been able to complete most of his preparation.

“After my crash and withdrawal from the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, I was able to resume my preparation for the Tour de France almost normally, adjusting a few sessions because of my injuries,” said Seixas in the team’s announcement. “Five days before the Grand Depart, I feel ready to give everything to complete these three weeks and achieve the best possible ranking.”

Despite his remarkable rise, Seixas is not putting a fixed target on his first Tour. The step into a three-week Grand Tour remains a major unknown, especially for a rider still in the earliest phase of his professional career.

“I am not setting myself a more precise objective because I am heading into the unknown, given that I have never raced anything so long and demanding,” he added. “I hope to be active, continue to progress and also enjoy it. It is the race I dream of and I realise how lucky I am to be able to take part so early in my career.”

For Kooij, the Tour also represents a first appearance, but with a very different objective. The Dutch sprinter endured a more difficult opening to the season than expected, before returning to form with victories in recent weeks.

“My start to the season was not what I hoped for, but we stayed patient and kept working,” said Kooij. “The victories I have taken in recent weeks, during my return to competition, have given me a lot of confidence.”

Kooij made clear that the team’s objectives are split between Seixas’ GC ambitions and his own sprint chances. “I know the level will be high because we will be at the biggest cycling race in the world, but the objectives are clear, for the team and for me: for Paul to finish as high as possible in the classification and to win at least one sprint stage,” he said.

The support group includes significant Grand Tour experience. Tiesj Benoot is set for his 11th Grand Tour, while Aurelien Paret-Peintre, Nicolas Prodhomme and Cees Bol are each preparing for an eighth appearance in a three-week race. Daan Hoole and Matthew Riccitello complete the selection, with Riccitello also making his Tour de France debut.

The team will be led from the car by Luke Rowe, who is set for his first Grand Tour as a sports director, alongside Julien Jurdie, Mark Renshaw and Nicolas Guille. Dominique Serieys said Decathlon CMA CGM Team approach the race “with ambition but humility”, targeting both the general classification and at least one stage victory when the opportunity comes.