Could Seixas become the next Pogačar for UAE? Traksel dismisses transfer rumours

The highly rated young rider is still under contract with Decathlon CMA CGM until 2027, but the French team reportedly appears to have been put on hold for now when it comes to a contract extension, with talks seemingly postponed until after the Ardennes Classics. That would be a disappointing scenario for the squad, not least because Seixas is one of the biggest homegrown talents in French cycling.

Seixas is represented by Joona Laukka, who also manages Benoît Cosnefroy. The Frenchman made the move from Decathlon to UAE over the winter, and Laukka is now said to be in contact with the Emirati team over Seixas as well. Even so, it is still too early to speak of any agreement with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, a squad that already boasts stars such as Pogačar, Del Toro and João Almeida.

In Kop over Kop, the Eurosport analysts said they hope the young Frenchman signs a new deal with Decathlon, although Jan Hermsen was not overly worried. “The French president would probably lie down in front of that,” the Dutchman joked, while Bobbie Traksel suggested that Laukka may simply be playing a negotiating game. “They could also be leaking this on purpose to drive up the price.”

Earlier, a WorldTour team manager had already suggested that Seixas should already be earning a contract worth three million euros per year. The Eurosport analysts, however, felt there is no need to get carried away just yet. “It’s great that he is trying it this way now and riding so well, but it can also happen that he suddenly goes through a year and a half without performing. We saw that with Paul Lapeira after he became French champion.”

Lapeira, together with Jordan Labrosse and Seixas, was part of a very strong Decathlon block at Strade Bianche. At one stage, the French team still had three riders in a front group of nine. For the sake of excitement in cycling, the analysts hope that block can stay together more often in the future, rather than seeing the entire Strade Bianche podium filled by riders from the same team. For now, though, any clarity over Seixas’ future may have to wait until after the Ardennes Classics.