French president Macron steps into Paul Seixas transfer saga again: ‘Next it will be Seixas’

The first mountain stage of the Tour de France delivered exactly what had been expected. Tadej Pogačar produced a devastating display, but behind him Paul Seixas also held his own impressively. The Decathlon CMA CGM Frenchman remains high in the general classification and received a visit from a particularly prominent supporter: French president Emmanuel Macron, who had plenty of praise for the 19-year-old.

Macron followed the stage from one of the Tour organisation’s cars and had a front-row seat as Pogačar demolished his rivals in the Pyrenees. “It was an immense stage,” Macron told French television. “The record for the Tourmalet climb was broken, Pogačar launched an impressive attack and took a lot of risks on the descent. I followed him in the car, and it was incredible.”

All of France is closely following the performances of Tour debutant Seixas, who has emerged as one of the contenders for a podium finish. “He’s on a good team,” Macron said of the youngster. “We have high hopes. I think he can still achieve great things. What they did is magnificent. I believe there are two French riders in the top ten, and both were extraordinary. They managed their race very well.”

After six stages, the Decathlon CMA CGM leader sits sixth overall, 3:55 behind the yellow jersey and only 28 seconds away from the podium. Macron believes the Frenchman can climb even higher in the standings. “After the Dauphiné — the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — which had worried us a bit in recent days, he’s delivered,” Macron said. “I hope he wins one or more stages and maintains this good GC position, and even goes higher.”

The French president also spoke with stage winner Pogačar, who offered an equally glowing assessment of Seixas. “I think Paul rode a fantastic stage despite his young age,” Macron said. “I was able to speak briefly with him and also with Pogačar. Tadej had a few very kind words; he said: ‘You’ll see, next it will be Seixas.’ “We have two French riders in the top ten — Lenny Martinez is eighth — and I think that is extraordinary because they managed to stay there despite the incredibly high pace.”

It is not the first time Macron has become involved in Seixas’ future. Earlier this year, rumours grew that UAE Team Emirates-XRG were interested in signing the French prodigy. Reports subsequently claimed that Macron was using his influence to encourage Seixas to remain with Decathlon CMA CGM. According to Cyclingnews the president again urged Seixas to stay with a French team when the pair met near the podium in Gavarnie-Gèdre. Decathlon hope to extend Seixas’ contract beyond 2027, but several leading teams are reportedly monitoring his situation.

Whether Macron’s intervention will ultimately prove decisive remains to be seen. For now, however, Seixas continues to strengthen his position as France’s brightest Tour de France prospect.