Tour de France boss adds to Ardennes Classics hype: 'Pogačar won't drop Seixas in Liège'

Christian Prudhomme has done little to cool the excitement around Paul Seixas before the start of the Ardennes Classics. The ASO boss — and therefore the man in charge of the Tour de France and several major Classics — believes Tadej Pogačar will face a serious challenger at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

The 19-year-old Seixas has been in form this season. He won a stage at the Volta ao Algarve, only narrowly missing out on the overall classification to Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek). It was already clear, though, that the Frenchman had made a huge leap over the winter.

After winning the Faun-Ardèche Classic, the Decathlon CMA CGM rider impressed with second place at Strade Bianche. Then came three stage wins and the overall title at the Tour of the Basque Country.

Seixas is only in his second professional season. But as the reigning Tour de l'Avenir champion, the push to get the wonderkid into the Tour de France has been building for months, especially in his native France. Before that happens, however, he will first tackle the Ardennes Classics.

Seixas is set to race the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, making his debut in both. As organiser of Paris-Roubaix, Prudhomme celebrated a popular winner in Wout van Aert. Speaking in the Roubaix Vélodrome, he was equally enthusiastic about the hilly Classics to come.

"I dream of a sprint for the win in Liège between Pogačar and Seixas. I believe it's possible," Prudhomme told RMC Sport. Prudhomme acknowledged that Pogačar was still able to drop Seixas at Strade Bianche, but on the tarmac of La Doyenne he sees a different picture.

"Whoever attacks, I believe Seixas won't be dropped on La Redoute or La Roche aux Faucons."

We wait with baited breath. Bring on the end of April!