Geraint Thomas has changed his mind on Seixas to the Tour — here's why

French prodigy Paul Seixas remains the talk of the peloton. His team, Decathlon CMA CGM, was expected to announce after Liège-Bastogne-Liège whether their rider would start the Tour de France — but have so far said nothing, leaving the speculation to run and run. Geraint Thomas has now joined the debate on his Watts Occurring podcast.

Seixas has been extraordinary all season — winning the Tour of the Basque Country to become the youngest ever WorldTour stage race winner, claiming La Flèche Wallonne, and finishing second at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in a brilliant battle with Tadej Pogačar. Cycling fans around the world are now asking the same question every day: will he ride the Tour?

Thomas initially had doubts about whether a debut was the right move, but has since changed his position entirely. "I thought he was too young, but why not?" he begins. "I just wouldn't have him riding for the GC — although he probably will. The most important thing is that the team tries to downplay it in the media."

The most common argument against Seixas riding is the weight of expectation from the French public. Thomas is not convinced that is a reason to stay home. "That pressure is coming regardless," he says. "The sooner he gets used to it, the faster he will learn to deal with it. Right now, nobody is disappointed if he doesn't win — but in a few years, that might be different."

Thomas sees it primarily as a mental exercise for the young Frenchman. "If he learns to handle the pressure now, maybe he will be ready for it when a real performance is truly expected of him." The INEOS Grenadiers sports director also points out that Seixas will not be the only rider capable of challenging Pogačar.

"Twelve months ago we thought nobody was going to beat Pogačar in the next five years — and then suddenly Seixas is here." Thomas does not rule out another challenger emerging just as quickly. "Behind Seixas there are more talents waiting that we know nothing about yet. There is a 17-year-old out there somewhere that we don't even know exists, who might come knocking soon."

Thomas closed with an optimistic thought on the future of the sport. "I give it 18 months before someone else is even better. The more big challengers there are, the more motivated Pogačar will be. That is very good for the sport." The fact that Seixas was already pushing the world champion to his absolute limit at Liège, Thomas says, is the first encouraging sign of what is to come.