New Visma | Lease a Bike signing makes bold claim about World Championships Time Trial: "He’ll ride into the top 5"
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Follow us on GoogleAll eyes may be focused on a World Championship battle between Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar, but history has shown us time and again that we must also take seriously those who are currently considered outsiders. Jay Vine has already been mentioned frequently as a possible world time trial champion for Australia, and the French team is convinced that they also have a wild card at their disposal.
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The French will field two starters on Sunday, one of whom is Bruno Armirail. The experienced sprinter has repeatedly proven himself to be among the world's best in time trials, but in an interview with L'Equipe, the brand-new addition to Visma | Lease a Bike for 2026 points to his much younger compatriot: Paul Seixas.
Armirail and Seixas are both still riding for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale this season, so the 31-year-old Frenchman knows what he is talking about when it comes to the 18-year-old (!) Seixas. The winner of the Tour de l'Avenir and France's great hope for the future already finished third in the French time trial championship, three-quarters of a minute behind champion Armirail.
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Bruno Armirail
Can 18-year-old Seixas already stunt at World Championship Time Trial?
On a very challenging time trial course, climbers with time trial qualities are considered to have a good chance of success. Tadej Pogacar, for example, is named as Remco Evenepoel's main challenger. And it is also because of the course that Armirail is willing to take a chance on Seixas. “He's going to finish in the top 5,” was the ambitious prediction. “Paul is excellent, he has trained well, and the course suits him very well.”
Seixas himself was a little more cautious on Friday: “It will be a new challenge for me, I'm starting without any pressure. I haven't trained extensively for my time trial, but I know I can do well, so it shouldn't be a problem. It will be a great learning experience for me, but I'm part of the French team, so I'm also here to deliver results. I'm going to give it one hundred percent, then we'll see what happens.”
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026


