Seixas transfer hype hits overdrive amid report of President Macron intervention

The expectation surrounding Paul Seixas seems to grow exponentially, and Eurosport Spain has added to the furore with a surprising – but entirely unconfirmed – report that President Emmanuel Macron has stepped in to support efforts to keep him riding for a French team.

Seixas, currently with Decathlon CMA CGM, is attracting significant interest from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, the sport’s dominant force following a series of record-breaking seasons over the past two years.

On Tuesday, Eurosport España claimed that Macron had made contact with Seixas’ management in an effort to persuade the young talent to continue his development within a French structure. 

Macron has intervened in elite sport before, most notably in 2022, when he personally called Kylian Mbappé in a successful attempt to convince him to remain at Paris Saint-Germain.

The response in France to the report of Marcon’s intervention has been cautious, with RMC Sport labelling it the “crazy Spanish rumour.”

Seixas’ rapid rise has made him the most talked about rider in the peloton. His 2026 campaign has been defined by consistency, maturity, and performances far beyond his age.

At Strade Bianche, he was the last rider able to follow Tadej Pogačar deep into the race. He then secured his first professional victory at the Volta ao Algarve, where he pushed Juan Ayuso all the way in the battle for the general classification.

Those performances were followed by an outstanding display at the Tour of the Basque Country, where Seixas dominated, taking overall victory alongside three stage wins. It was a commanding performance that immediately elevated his status within the sport.

With a contract running until the end of 2027, Decathlon holds a rare asset: a rider capable of winning now, yet still years away from his peak.

Seixas’ rise has coincided with increasing speculation around the team itself. A report from Wielerflits last week suggested that Decathlon CMA CGM would consider switching to a Swiss licence, a move that would ease the burden of France’s notably high employer social charges.

The team was quick to respond. Speaking to RMC Sport, deputy CEO Mathieu Charpentier dismissed the rumours and placed them within a broader pattern of speculation.

“This is a period where there is a lot of chatter around the team, whether it concerns our riders, like Paul Seixas, who is being linked to every WorldTour team, or other topics,” he said.

Charpentier pointed to similar rumours in recent years, including suggestions the team would relocate to Lille or even Belgium. “This year, we are being announced in Switzerland.”

The message from management was clear: the team will continue under the French flag, with its performance centre remaining in Chambéry.

Still, the situation surrounding Seixas ensures the spotlight will remain firmly on the team until his expiring contract is extended.