'He's a champion' - UAE praise Seixas, but could they try to sign him?

Paul Seixas’ immense potential and fast start to the 2026 season make him the most talked about prospect in the peloton. Second place behind to Tadej Pogačar at Saturday’ Strade Bianche while still a teenager has only amplified the justifiable hype around the Frenchman. 

Naturally, every team in the peloton will be envious of Decathlon CMA CGM, who have brought Seixas through their development team to the professional ranks. It’s fair to say that the French team are already reaping the benefits, with the 19-year-old winning a stage and finishing second at the Volta ao Algarve before producing a stunning 40km solo win at the Faun-Ardèche Classic.

Unsurprisingly, the team who have dominated cycling over recent seasons, including achieving a record-breaking 97 victories in the 2025 season, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, reportedly have their eyes set on one of the sport’s most talented prospects. 

The current UAE team reads like the Avengers of cycling with Tadej Pogačar at the helm, and the likes of Isaac del Toro, João Almeida and Jan Christen among the many stars that make up the strongest team in cycling right now, a team which already has 14 victories in this calendar year.

Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws has reported that UAE Team Emirates-XRG have signalled their interest and begun attempts to secure the future of the French rider, which is a bracing prospect for the rest of the peloton.

When asked by HLN about the matter before the start of Strade Bianche, UAE sports manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez didn’t give any hint or indication that a plan was in progress to sign Seixas, highlighting that the Frenchman is tied to a contract with Decathlon CMA CGM. 

The 19-year-old’s current contract with the French team, which he signed when turning pro, runs until the end of the 2027 season, giving Decathlon time to try and secure the long-term future of the French prodigy. 

But the Belgian outlet highlighted how the monetary value behind the first professional contract could quickly look out of place if Seixas continues his rapid trajectory in the sport. 

According to the reports, Seixas and his entourage have made the decision to put talks on hold with the French team regarding his contract until after the Ardennes Classics. 

The report also note that Seixas’s agent Joona Laukka also represents fellow French rider Benoît Cosnefroy, who made the switch from Decathlon to UAE for the 2026 season. 

After his fine start to the season, Seixas will take a month’s break from racing before taking on Itzulia Basque Country, followed by Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Speaking to Bici.pro after Pogačar’s victory in Siena on Saturday, Matxin had high praise for Seixas’ performance, particularly when he followed the Slovenian on Monte Sante Marie. He acknowledged that the team had already been analysing his performances closely before Strade Bianche.

“I wouldn’t say he lasted longer than expected,” Matxin said. “According to our data, we knew he could keep up that pace. With what he showed in the Algarve alongside Juan Ayuso, who we know well and whose strengths we are familiar with, we knew what Seixas was capable of. And we also had information from João Almeida, who was also there, so we expected a very high level from him.

“Seixas is a really good rider. He rides well, he’s smart, he has a great sprint. He’s a young rider and a champion. Actually, scratch the word ‘young’: he’s a champion.”