Seixas' domestique Prodhomme impresses at the Tour de France, and offers his leader 'great things' in week 3

Paul Seixas heads into the third week of the Tour de France in fourth place in the general classification. The top French talent has put in some impressive performances so far and has regularly thanked his team for their support. We’ve seen teammate Nicolas Prodhomme climb exceptionally well in this Tour, and in conversations with IDL Pro Cycling and others, it became clear that he’ll only get better from here on out.

Prodhomme is now 29 years old, and with all his experience, he’s Seixas’s last domestique in the mountains. On Stage 10 to Le Lioran, for example, we saw him boldly take the lead in the group of favorites. It demonstrated just how good the French veteran really is, and with what’s still to come, Seixas will see this as a huge morale boost.

When we spoke with the friendly Prodhomme on Thursday before the start of Stage 12, he immediately said, “I feel really good.” We had a lot of work to do in the first week, and I’m glad the results are showing. Whether it’s handing out water bottles in a sprint stage or helping Paul in a mountain stage, I’m really, really happy with how things are going.”

The rider, who was born in l'Aigle, couldn't wait to see what was yet to come. “Mentally, I’m doing really well. I actually enjoyed Tuesday’s stage (Stage 10 to Le Lioran, ed.) myself. So I really can’t wait for the road to start climbing again and to see where that might take Paul,” he said Thursday morning.

The grueling Vosges-Alps doubleheader on days 14 and 15 put Seixas in 4th place in the general classification, just under half a minute behind Remco Evenepoel in second. A great starting position for his first Grand Tour. “What’s coming up now is very exciting,” Prodhomme noted.

He added: “I’m always at my best in the third week, but it’s true that I started this Tour with really strong legs. Normally, I have to get into the groove a bit, but right now I’m not worried at all about losing my good form,” said the friendly Frenchman with great panache.

As a result, Seixas can look forward to even more great things in the grueling third week of this Tour de France, thanks to a Prodhomme who is getting better and better. And it’s not just Seixas... “Normally, I improve week by week, so I can hope for great things,” Prodhomme concluded on Thursday.