Marc Madiot puts Paul Seixas in the same league as Bernard Hinault

“If you placed Bernard Hinault in today’s generation, he would have had the same abilities as Paul Seixas,” Madiot said to CyclismActu.net. “That gives you an idea of his level. Riders today are better prepared, better trained, better educated. They’re ready to perform much younger.”

For Madiot, Seixas represents a new kind of French rider, one who benefits from the scientific precision and structured development of modern cycling. “It’s not just the legs,” he explained. “It’s the environment, the education, the culture of high performance. These young riders are managed and prepared in a way that didn’t exist before.”

The comparison with Hinault is not one Madiot makes lightly. Having lived through that golden era of French cycling as both rider and manager, he recognises in Seixas the same fierce mentality. “He has that attitude, that desire to win, that inner fire. That’s what sets champions apart,” he said. “We don’t see that very often anymore.”

Yet while he celebrates the arrival of a new star, Madiot fears the foundations of French cycling are weakening. The recent collapse of Arkéa B&B Hotels, which failed to secure new sponsorship for 2026, is for him more than a financial failure. 

“It’s sad for everyone, for the riders, the staff, the mechanics, the whole structure,” he said. “We’re going through a fragile period. Traditional cycling nations like France and Belgium are struggling to keep pace with the internationalisation of the sport.”

For Madiot, the disappearance of one of France’s top teams reflects a deeper imbalance. “There used to be real cohesion between teams, riders and organisers,” he said. “That system helped us survive the hard times, but it’s under pressure now. I just hope we can still protect French cycling while there’s time.”

The collapse of Arkéa comes at a time when French cycling’s structure looks increasingly fragile. With only two WorldTour teams remaining, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Groupama FDJ, France’s presence at the top level continues to shrink, while international powerhouses like UAE Team Emirates, Visma | Lease a Bike, Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe and Ineos Grenadiers expand their reach. 

“It’s the reality of modern cycling,” Madiot said. “The biggest teams win the most races because they have the biggest resources. UAE has 30 riders, and almost all of them could lead another team. That tells you everything about the current balance of power.”

Still, Madiot remains a believer in French cycling’s potential to rebuild. “We have talent, we have passion, we have history,” he said. “If we can support young riders like Seixas and give them the right environment, we’ll see French cycling shine again. But we have to act now, not wait until it’s too late.”

In Madiot’s words, the story of Paul Seixas and the fall of Arkéa capture two sides of the same coin, the promise of a new generation rising as the old structures begin to crumble.