Hinault warns Paul Seixas: Pogacar could be ‘pretty fierce’ at 2027 Worlds

Bernard Hinault believes Paul Seixas will have a genuine opportunity to challenge for the rainbow jersey when the World Championships come to Sallanches in 2027, although the French legend has warned that Tadej Pogačar could stand in his way.

Hinault returned to the Côte de Domancy this weekend, 46 years after conquering the famous climb on his way to the world title in Sallanches in 1980.

The 72-year-old rode part of the ascent as Haute Savoie continues its preparations for the 2027 UCI World Championships, which will bring the road races back to the roads where Hinault produced one of the defining performances of his career.

Attention is already turning towards Seixas, who has rapidly established himself as one of the leading talents of his generation and will arrive at a home World Championships as France's main hope.

Hinault sees little in the course that should concern him.

“The circuit certainly won't disadvantage him,” Hinault told Le Dauphiné. “But if Pogačar is there, he could be pretty fierce. And there are plenty of others as well.”

Pogačar's presence would inevitably change the complexion of the race. The Slovenian won the world road title in Zürich in 2024 before successfully defending the rainbow jersey in Kigali a year later, becoming world champion in consecutive seasons. He had been in line to chase a third straight title in Montréal this year before his crash at the Vuelta a España ruled him out.

His absence leaves this year's World Championships considerably more open and, in Hinault's view, offers Seixas a rare opportunity.

“I think we'll get an idea in Canada this year of how things might play out,” he said. “With the boss not there, everybody will want to win, and perhaps that will give people some ideas for 2027.”

Seixas has already offered a glimpse of his ability to challenge Pogačar directly this season.

At Liège-Bastogne-Liège in April, the Frenchman was the only rider able to follow when Pogačar accelerated on La Redoute. Seixas stayed with the world champion until the Roche aux Faucons, where Pogačar finally dropped him before riding alone to victory. Seixas still finished second, just 45 seconds behind, in one of the standout performances of his young career.

The 2026 World Championships will also be only Seixas' second appearance in the elite road race. He made his debut in Kigali last year and finished 13th at just 19, in the same race that saw Pogačar take his second consecutive world title.

Hinault believes Seixas should not wait for the perfect occasion, however. Asked whether he would rather see the young Frenchman become world champion this year or save a potential victory for home roads in 2027, his answer was immediate.

“He should take the jersey whenever he can,” Hinault said with a laugh.

“This year he has an incredible opportunity without Pogačar, and he is at the same level as several of the other contenders. We don't have the French selection yet, but there will inevitably be some very strong riders, and there are others from different countries who can win as well.”