‘I don’t see why he wouldn’t ride’ - Decathlon teammate drops telling hint about Paul Seixas’ Tour de France plans

Seixas recently admitted that his participation in next year's Tour de France is far from certain, with the World Championships in Haute-Savoie emerging as his biggest priority of the season.

The 20-year-old is considering whether the Giro d’Italia could offer better preparation for his bid to win the rainbow jersey on home roads, although the prospect of returning to the Tour remains equally tempting.

Lund Andresen, however, appears to have a different view of how Decathlon's plans will unfold.

Speaking on Eurosport's Radio Tour podcast, the Danish sprinter was asked about his own chances of making the team's Tour de France selection in 2027. His answer was remarkably straightforward.

"There's probably close to a zero percent chance," Lund Andresen said. "Olav [Kooij] is going to ride. I know Paul [Seixas] has just said he wants to make it work with the World Championships."

But despite Seixas' recent comments, Lund Andresen expects his French teammate to be on the start line in July.

"I don't see why he wouldn't ride the Tour de France. And I'm not going there to do leadouts. That's not going to happen. I don't believe in that."

After finishing fourth at the 2026 Tour de France and winning Il Lombardia, Seixas has plenty of reasons to return in July. The 2027 Tour route also passes through Haute-Savoie, close to where his grandparents live and where he hopes to win the world title just weeks later.

Whether that is enough to convince him to choose the Tour over the Giro remains to be seen. Lund Andresen, at least, seems to have little doubt.

With Kooij expected to be Decathlon's main sprinter at the Tour, Lund Andresen is likely to find his opportunities elsewhere in 2027.

"A lot depends on Olav. It all comes down to how they put together their seasons," the Dane said.

"I'd like to start in Australia, although I don't think I'll be ready because of illness. Then I just want to ride as many classics as I'm allowed to. After that, it'll probably be the Giro. And the European Championships will likely be my big goal."

A return to the Giro d'Italia would see Lund Andresen take on the Italian Grand Tour for the second consecutive year, having also raced it in 2026.

Lund Andresen enjoyed a strong first season with Decathlon CMA CGM, taking victories in Australia and at Tirreno-Adriatico, while also finishing second at Gent-Wevelgem.

His arrival at the French team alongside Kooij had initially raised questions about how the two sprinters would fit into the same squad, particularly whether Lund Andresen would have to settle for a leadout role.

But the Dane insists that was never part of the plan.

"It's funny that there's been so much talk about whether I'd get my own chances or whether I'd just have to do leadouts," he said.

"It's always been completely clear that we're separate and that we both have our own leadout trains."

For 2027, that will likely mean separate Grand Tour programmes, with Kooij heading to the Tour and Lund Andresen targeting another appearance at the Giro d'Italia.