Decathlon CMA CGM receive support from unexpected source to try and keep Seixas

Paul Seixas is making a huge impression this year in races such as Strade Bianche and the Tour of the Basque Country. The nineteen-year-old Frenchman's impressive streak has piqued the interest of many top teams. UAE, for instance, has already been mentioned as a potential squad for the world-class talent. However, according to Spanish Eurosport, his current team Decathlon CMA CGM has received support from an unexpected source.

Seixas is impressing this season in every race he starts. He defeated João Almeida and Oscar Onley in the Volta ao Algarve, where he finished second; he won the Faun-Ardèche Classic and placed second in Strade Bianche. Finally, the young Frenchman claimed all jerseys and three stages in the Tour of the Basque Country.

At nineteen years of age, it is inevitable that every team is interested in you. UAE has been mentioned frequently, to which Mauro Gianetti responded that it would be a dream. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe also seems to be targeting his services. However, the Frenchman still has a contract until 2027 with his current team Decathlon CMA CGM.

The French team would naturally love to keep their gem on board for longer and, according to Eurosport sources, have received support in this regard from an unexpected corner. French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly approached Seixas' entourage to encourage him to stay with his current team. He reportedly sees this as the right step for French cycling.

It is not the first time the President has involved himself in the sporting world. He previously approached a top French footballer personally to remain at the Parisian club Paris Saint-Germain. Furthermore, Macron is a huge cycling fan and regularly visits the Tour de France. Last year, for example, he watched Tadej Pogacar win on the Hautacam from the following car.

That the enormous talent will ride his first Grand Tour this year seems written in the stars. However, it remains a question whether that will be the Tour de France or the Vuelta. Decathlon CMA CGM themselves think it is 'too early' to burden the French talent with the pressure of the Tour.

A final decision has not yet been made. In the coming weeks, Seixas will first be seen in action in Belgium, as he is set to start La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he will ride his second-ever Monument. This potentially means a second clash between Seixas and Pogacar this season.