Pogacar tips Seixas for Tour greatness as Macron weighs in on French star’s future

Seixas finished fifth on stage six to Gavarnie Gèdre, limiting his loss to 2 minutes and 57 seconds after Pogačar launched his decisive attack on the Tourmalet. It was the latest sign that the 19-year-old is already capable of competing with the strongest general classification riders in the sport.

Pogačar’s display delivered him both the stage victory and the yellow jersey, but the Slovenian also found time at the finish to acknowledge the rider increasingly seen as France’s next potential Tour contender.

“Tadej had some very kind words,” Macron told France Télévisions after speaking with the race leader. “He said: ‘You will see, next it will be Mr Seixas.’”

Coming from Pogačar, the praise carried particular weight. The Slovenian broke the Tourmalet climbing record with a time of 43 minutes and 12 seconds before taking control of the race on the road to Gavarnie Gèdre.

“We witnessed an immense stage,” Macron said. “On the way here, we were saying that this was the day he had to attack if he wanted to make a difference. It happened as expected, but the machine was relentless.”

“We saw them climbing at an incredible speed. Then came the attack, where he was imperial. He took every risk on the descent. I followed it behind him, and it was unbelievable.”

While Pogačar strengthened his grip on the present, much of the conversation at the finish concerned Seixas and what could come next.

The Frenchman’s rapid rise has made his future one of the biggest talking points in professional cycling. Seixas is under contract with Decathlon CMA CGM until the end of 2027, but interest from rival teams has intensified following a season in which he has repeatedly performed beyond expectations for a rider of his age.

Visma | Lease a Bike have publicly expressed their admiration, while UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Netcompany-Ineos have also been linked with him. Pinarello-Q36.5 have reportedly considered a major financial offer, although Seixas has questioned the accuracy of several stories surrounding his situation.

“There are quite a lot of things I have heard about that are false,” he said earlier this week. “There is obviously a buzz. I cannot deny that. But I am not going to say that there are enormous contracts, as we have seen reported.”

Seixas also stressed that he has no immediate need to decide his long term future.

“I have not seen the contracts yet,” he said. “I still have a good year to do with the team next year, and time to think about what I want to do with my future. Within the team, I am well supported.”

That position has not stopped speculation about whether he will remain at the centre of a French project or move to one of the wealthiest international teams in the peloton. 

Reports earlier in the season even suggested that Macron had become involved in efforts to keep Seixas with a French organisation. Those claims were never confirmed, but the president left little room for doubt after Thursday’s stage.

During a brief conversation with Seixas at the finish, Macron told him that he should remain with a French team according to RMC Sport.

The president also praised the way Seixas and Lenny Martinez, who finished ninth on the stage, managed the demanding day in the Pyrenees.

“We have a lot of hope,” Macron said. “I think he can still achieve many great things. What they did, the way they held on, was magnificent. There are two French riders in the top ten and both were extraordinary.”

Macron also praised the way Seixas had bounced back from a difficult end to the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

“He is here when it matters. I hope he can win one or more stages, maintain this strong position and perhaps climb even higher. He is in a good team.”