‘He can dream of winning the Tour’ - Paul Seixas tipped for future glory after stunning debut

The Frenchman finished fourth overall in Paris, almost 12 minutes behind race winner Tadej Pogačar, after spending three weeks competing alongside the biggest names in the sport.

While the gap to the dominant Slovenian remains substantial, Seixas’ Decathlon teammate Tiesj Benoot believes time is firmly on the French rider’s side.

“He is only 19,” Benoot said at Sporza’s Vive le Vélo. “Paul still watches South Park every day. He is simply at a completely different stage of his life.

“But I do think he is allowed to dream about winning the Tour. I also do not believe Pogačar will continue racing at this level for another 10 years.”

Despite being only 19 and making his Grand Tour debut, Seixas handled the weight of French expectation with remarkable composure, riding consistently throughout the three weeks to finish an exceptional fourth overall.

Decathlon sports director Julien Jurdie described the result as a collective effort.

“There is a lot of pride and a lot of joy,” Jurdie told Cyclism’Actu in Paris. “We have experienced an unforgettable and exceptional adventure over the past three weeks with Paul and the entire group."

“Cycling is an individual sport practised as a team, and I think we demonstrated that beautifully during this Tour.”

Seixas’ performance was one of two major successes for Decathlon. Olav Kooij delivered a stage victory in Pau, while also recording several strong results in the sprints, including another top five finish on the final stage in Paris.

According to Jurdie, Kooij’s victory during the opening week lifted the pressure from the team and allowed the riders to race more aggressively.

“The victory in Pau released a lot of tension,” he said. “It was very important during that first week.

“In the general classification, I think we fought an exceptional battle throughout the three weeks. Every opportunity we could take, we tried to take it.”

The team continued to race aggressively during the final mountain stages, attempting to apply pressure in the fight for the podium.

That effort did not produce the desired result, but Jurdie insisted there were no regrets about the team’s approach.

“We did not hesitate to try to reverse the pressure,” he said. “It did not work, but we did not want to cross the finish line with regrets.

“Both of our objectives were achieved. We won a stage and secured a major general classification result with Paul.”

Jurdie was particularly impressed by how Seixas handled the physical and mental demands of his first Tour.

“He has experienced an accelerated education during this Tour,” Jurdie said.

“We know his qualities, his talent, his maturity, his mentality and his exceptional physical ability. To live through this experience at 19 years old, while playing a leading role for three weeks, can only help him."

The immediate priority, however, will be recovery.

“It is important for Paul to take some time during the next few days, recover calmly and step away from everything that has happened. After that, we will sit down with the staff and decide when and where he will return.”

Benoot, meanwhile, described the 2026 Tour as perhaps the most enjoyable of his career.

The Belgian returned to the highest level following a lengthy rehabilitation period and finished the race encouraged by his condition, particularly during the final days in the mountains.

“It may have been the Tour de France I enjoyed the most,” Benoot said.

“The atmosphere inside the team was excellent. We were able to compete for a result every day. Olav was regularly among the top three in the sprints and in the other stages we had Paul."

“After such a long period away, you begin to doubt yourself. The feeling that I was truly competing again meant a lot."