Survey reveals French longing for Seixas Tour debut

According to an Odoxa survey for RTL and Winamax, 73% of respondents believe the Decathlon CMA CGM rider should start the Tour de France on July 4 in Barcelona. The result underlines the growing excitement around Seixas, whose rise has quickly turned him into the rider many in France hope can one day follow Bernard Hinault.

Hinault was the last Frenchman to win the Tour, back in 1985. Since then, several riders have carried the weight of that search. Richard Virenque, Christophe Moreau, Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot were all hailed after early promise or major performances, but none managed to reach the top step in Paris.

Seixas’ rise has given that old debate new life. His victory at La Flèche Wallonne, where he proved strongest on the Mur de Huy, sent the attention around him into another gear.

Those were not an isolated result either. Earlier this season, he finished second at Strade Bianche and then dominated Itzulia Basque Country, winning the overall classification and three stages..

What began as a breakthrough year has quickly become something bigger and the expectations are already significant. According to the same poll, 89% of respondents believe Seixas will one day win the Tour de France, while 16% even think he could do it as early as this year.

After closing his successful spring campaign, Seixas and Decathlon CMA CGM now face a major decision over his summer programme. Tour director Christian Prudhomme has made no secret of his desire to see the young Frenchman at his race, while defending champion Tadej Pogačar also said after Liège-Bastogne-Liège that he expects Seixas to be there in July, adding a message for the French media.

“Yeah, I think we will see him on the Tour because he is such a big talent,” Pogačar said in the mixed zone after his win. “I think France can be happy with how he rides, but you guys need to take care of him.”

Prudhomme also suggested recently that the momentum is moving towards a Tour debut.

“There is a 90% chance. I have the feeling that he is going to come,” Prudhomme told Eurosport. “What I sense from the various discussions is that a few weeks ago the team was wondering why he should be at the Tour, and now they are desperately looking for reasons not to put him in the Tour.”

Hinault himself, however, has warned that Seixas would be stepping into a very different world if he starts his first Grand Tour against Pogačar.

“And then to find yourself up against Pogačar for twenty-one days, he won’t give anything away,” Hinault said. “When you know his ability and his desire to win, and especially this year, with the aim of equalling the record of five Tours, you have to be careful.”

The rest of France clearly sees it differently, and the wait should not last much longer. More clarity on the young Frenchman’s programme for the rest of 2026 is expected in the short term.