'If I was Paul Seixas I'd have no doubts and choose to ride' - Vincenzo Nibali calls on Frenchman to target victory at the 2027 Giro d'Italia

Vincenzo Nibali has called on Paul Seixas to target the Giro d'Italia, believing the French super talent is ready to win a Grand Tour in 2027.

Nibali was one of the best Grand Tour riders of his generation and won the Giro d'Italia in 2013 and 2016, the 2014 Tour de France and the 2010 Vuelta a España. He rode 27 Grand Tours during his career, securing seven other podium finishes before retiring in 2022.

"It's a fantastic Giro route, there's been a step-up," Nibali told La Gazzetta dello Sport the day after the 2027 route was revealed in Rome.

"The best climber will win. If I was Paul Seixas I'd have no doubts and choose to ride."

Nibali suggested Tadej Pogačar would be a natural favourite if he opted to return to the Giro after his 2024 victory but also called on other Grand Tour contenders to consider the Giro rather than focusing on the 2027 Tour de France.

"If Pogačar rode the Giro, he'd be the clear favourite. I think the route suits Vingegaard and it'd also be a great challenge for Evenepoel to take on," Nibali said.

"Seixas was fourth on his Tour debut and so I think he'd be ready to fight for victory. I saw him up close at Il Lombardia and he was impressive. He's a great climber and good in time trials too. I read he's interested in riding the Giro and that's not by chance."

Nibali remains the last Italian to have won the Giro but sees several possible contenders for 2027, as a new generation of Italian Grand Tour riders emerge and develop.

"The Giro route offers plenty of opportunities for riders like Pellizzari, Piganzoli, Ciccone," Nibali suggested.

"Pellizzari has time and the talent to make up for a disappointing season, Piganzoli is developing really well and Ciccone will be motivated after changing teams. They've got to believe they can be contenders at the Giro." 

Lorenzo Finn will step up to WorldTour level in 2027 and won the Giro d'Italia Next Gen in 2026. Nibali turned professional in 2005 when he was still only 20 and made his Grand Tour debut at the Giro in 2007, but warned against putting too much pressure on Finn despite him dueling with Seixas in the junior ranks.

"Lets see what races he rides in his first season but the worst thing would be to put too much pressure on his shoulders," Nibali said.

"He's not yet 20, let's not compare him to Seixas for now, let him grow at his own pace."

Nibali likes the 2027 Giro route. The three-week race includes 50,250 metres of altitude gain and eight summit finishes but there is no triple header of late mountain stages, with the big days on the Mortirolo, to Madonna di Campiglio and on the Monte Zoncolan finish divided by easier stages.

"It's modern and innovative without losing the links to the traditions of the past," Nibali suggested.

"The triplete of tough mountain stages is no longer but the hard days are there and spread out carefully. That's a good thing.     

"The early stages in Friuli aren't easy and there are some early mountain finishes, so whoever wants to win in Rome can't ride into form."