Sivakov is impressed by 20-year-old Seixas at the World Championships: 'Paul reminds me of Tadej'

The fact that Seixas is among the top favourites for the Elite World Championships is actually hard to believe. But in 2026, success comes very quickly, so we accept that the Frenchman, in his debut year as a pro with Decathlon CMA CGM, has already won WorldTour races and finished fourth in his very first Grand Tour, the Tour de France.

The winner of the Tour of the Basque Country and the Flèche Wallonne gave Tadej Pogacar a run for his money at Strade Bianche and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, so with the Slovenian defending champion absent, all eyes are rightly on Seixas. With a second-place finish in the GP Montréal and a third-place finish in a flat and grueling World Championship time trial, the prodigy had little trouble keeping himself out of the spotlight.

In an interview with L'Equipe, Seixas didn't shy away from his role as favorite. “I’ve already shifted gears since Sunday night’s World Time Trial Championship. I have my main goal in mind, though the time trial was also important. I’ve trained well since then and am ready for the road race. The time trial doesn’t say much about Sunday, other than that I’m in good shape. That gives me confidence.”

Seixas expects an open World Championship, due to Pogačar’s absence and the course. “That could suit both punchy climbers and punchy sprinters. A puncher will become world champion, but the rest will depend on the pace, how aggressively the race is contested, and how tactical it becomes. As far as I’m concerned, the course needs to be made tough.”

The fact that Seixas, at just 20 years old, is France’s top rider doesn’t put any extra pressure on him. “It’s flattering, but I know I’m capable of competing with the best. The team knows that, too. I’m ready to give it my all, because together we want to achieve something great. Given my current form and the team’s ambitions, anything less than the world title would be a disappointment.”

Unprecedented remarks, which were further emphasised by Pavel Sivakov, a rider for UAE Emirates-XRG (aka Team Pogačar) and now Seixas’s teammate. Speaking to Le Telegramme, Sivakov spoke highly of his World Championship team leader: “Paul reminds me of Tadej; physically, they’re both in a league of their own. When we ride together, Paul completely outclasses us. On the bike, they’re the undisputed leaders.”

The only difference is their age, so Seixas will need his teammates’ experience to let his leg strength do the talking. “Tadej and Paul are both very relaxed off the bike. They don’t overthink things, and that’s what makes them so strong. They don’t get carried away and have nothing to prove. Paul has had an extraordinary year, and with Tadej’s absence, his status has changed.”

"I'm here for Paul. If I have to ride starting at kilometer 0, then I'll do it. The goal is to become world champion, and we're all putting our egos aside to achieve that."