‘He destroys us in training’ - Paul Seixas earns Pogacar comparison before Montreal Worlds

“He reminds me of Tadej,” Sivakov told French newspaper Le Télégramme. “Physically, he is a level above. When we go riding together, he destroys us.”

Sivakov has spent years riding alongside Tadej Pogačar at UAE Team Emirates-XRG, giving him a close view of the qualities that separate the Slovenian from almost everyone else in the peloton. Now, after training alongside Seixas with the French national team, he is beginning to recognise some of the same traits.

Seixas arrived at last year’s World Championships largely as a young rider gaining experience, but he hardly looked out of place. At just 19, the Frenchman finished 13th in the elite road race in Kigali, crossing the line nine minutes behind winner Tadej Pogačar.

Twelve months later, Seixas heads to Montreal as France’s undisputed leader, following a breakthrough season that has transformed both his reputation and the expectations surrounding him.

Sivakov believes the resemblance with Pogačar goes beyond pure physical ability. “When they are on the bike, they are unquestioned leaders,” Sivakov said. “You can feel it. They have that aura.”

There is an important difference, however, in that Pogačar has spent years learning how to manage the biggest races in cycling, while Seixas is only beginning to encounter many of those situations.

“Tadej has a lot of experience, while Paul has only just started,” Sivakov said. “That’s maybe where I can give him a few pieces of advice, things I know that he hasn’t had the chance to experience yet.”

Sivakov is also expected to become Seixas' teammate at Decathlon CMA CGM next season, although the move has not yet been officially confirmed.

Sivakov maintained that Seixas and Pogačar have a similarly relaxed outlook - “They don’t overthink things” - and that composure will be useful in Montreal, where the Frenchman will have high expectations in the defending champion's absence. 

“He comes here with the ambition to win,” Sivakov said. “That makes everything different. 

“I don’t think it will be a tactical race. The favourites will stay in the wheels and start attacking each other in the final part of the race.”

Like many, Sivakov views Remco Evenepoel as the favourite but he warned about the threat posed by Isaac del Toro, his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate. 

“He is always prepared to lose in order to win, to let others make their moves before making his own effort. You need a lot of confidence to race that way,” said Sivakov, whose role on Seixas' behalf is clear. “If I have to ride from kilometre zero, I will. I’m here for Paul.”