'I am already looking forward to my next Grand Tour' - Seixas takes pride and lessons from fourth-place Tour debut

With the combination of being the youngest Tour starter since 1937, Bernard Hinault being the last French winner in 1985, as well as his exceptional 2026 season to date, Paul Seixas arrived in Barcelona on July 4 firmly under the spotlight.

The 19-year-old, who had to make a quick recovery from his crash at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in June, also overcame setbacks during the race, having started the Tour with injuries from a reconnaissance crash in Barcelona and later dealing with a minor illness during the opening week.

Despite the pressure and those challenges, he remained in contention for the podium until the final mountain stage, where he and Decathlon CMA CGM attempted to put Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) under pressure in the contest for third place. 

After a strong start on the Col du Galibier, Seixas reached his limit on the Col de Sarenne as Del Toro responded and secured the final podium position. Seixas ended the stage, and ultimately the Tour, in fourth on debut, 11:56 behind race winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and 2:14 from the podium.

“I felt really good at the start and on the Galibier,” Seixas said post stage-20. “Then, in the end, I cracked.”

Missing out on the final podium in Paris did not overshadow what Seixas had accomplished in his first Grand Tour. Reflecting after the final stage in Paris, the Frenchman was already looking ahead to his next three-week challenge.

“I am very happy that it is over," Seixas told France Télévisions post-stage 21.

"We had three great weeks with the team. I came here and finished fourth overall, and I fought for the podium for three weeks. It has been a very good Tour. I am already looking forward to my next Grand Tour.”

Seixas admitted that one of the biggest challenges of competing for the general classification was the constant pressure and concentration required throughout three weeks of racing.

“One thing that was difficult was the nervousness. Every day, riders believe they can win a stage, so as a leader you have to avoid getting caught out and remain focused. I have to make sure I am well positioned, stay out of trouble and be on the right wheel at the right moment.”

The Frenchman said the experience of leading a Grand Tour campaign had taught him valuable lessons about positioning, risk management and decision-making in the peloton.

“I need to choose the right lines without taking unnecessary risks or crashing. There is never really a day off. You always have to stay focused.”

In addition, Seixas said he would not change anything about his race, viewing every challenge as part of his development.

“I would not change a thing. You have to learn for the future. Nothing is perfect, but we did the best we could. We took risks, including on the final day, and even when they do not pay off, it is still valuable experience.”

Although he admitted he was ready for rest after three demanding weeks, Seixas believes his first Tour has given him confidence for the future.

“Do I see myself riding the Tour again? Of course. Right now, I do not feel like doing another three weeks, but apparently it will be a different story in a week. We will see how I feel, but I will probably forget the difficult moments.”

Ultimately, Seixas leaves Paris with proof that he can compete among the world’s best stage racers across three weeks and with a clear idea of where he can improve.

“You can never predict the future, but I felt capable of riding this Tour. The proof is that I finished it, and finished it strongly. It also gives us some clear areas to work on for the future.”