'All teams are interested' - Seixas in no hurry to decide his future, says agent

Paul Seixas has yet to decide his future beyond the end of his existing contract with Decathlon-CMA CGM, which expires at the end of 2027.

Speaking to Daniel Benson, Seixas’ agent Joona Laukka said that talks with Decathlon regarding an extension were “on hold for a while.” 

The 19-year-old has been one of the outstanding performers of the new season, and Het Laatste Nieuws reported last week that UAE Team Emirates-XRG were eager to secure his services as a long-term successor to Tadej Pogačar.

“Everyone knows that he’s doing well, but they also know his situation, and for a long time. There’s been no change,” Laukka told Benson’s Substack of the recent speculation regarding Seixas’ future, adding that the rider was in no hurry to discuss a contract extension with over 18 months of his current deal still to run.

“It’s been on hold for a while, so we’ll wait until it’s the time when Paul feels like it’s the right time to decide. Everything is going fine for him in the team, and he’s progressing pretty fast, as you can see, so why not wait if you’re in his position? For teams, it’s different, but for Paul, he has time.”

Laukka played a straight bat when asked of the reported interest from UAE and Ineos in acquiring Seixas’ services from 2028.

“All the teams are interested, I would say, but that makes sense. Which teams would say no to Paul?” Laukka said. 

“With them or any other big team, they also know the situation and that Paul has time to decide. They know the situation is also that he has a contract until the end of 2027.”

Speaking to Benson earlier in the week, Dominique Serieys, the CEO of Decathlon CMA CGM, indicated that his preference was for Seixas to sign a contract extension with the team ahead of this year’s Tour de France. However, Laukka pointed out that the team’s deadline was an arbitrary one.

“It’s not decided yet for Paul, and for Paul, there is no deadline,” Laukka said. “As I said earlier, many big teams are interested.  There are many teams with lots of options, with good and bad sides. That’s why he needs some time to decide. He doesn’t know yet.” 

Still only 19 years of age, Seixas has been an effervescent start to his second season as a professional. He won a stage of the Volta ao Algarve en route to second place overall before claiming the Ardèche Classic with a crushing solo effort.

Last weekend, Seixas delivered arguably the most impressive display of his young career when he was the only rider briefly able to track Pogacar’s winning move at Strade Bianche. He would go on to finish second in Siena after dropping Pogacar’s teammate Isaac del Toro on the Via Santa Caterina.

Seixas’ performances have increased speculation that he will make his Tour de France debut this July, though his team has insisted that no decision will be taken until after the Ardennes Classics. The Frenchman’s next race is Itzulia Basque Country next month.