UAE link to Seixas family emerges amid transfer rumours

With the rapid rise of Paul Seixas from a successful neo-pro campaign to most recently finishing second behind only Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche at just 19-years-old in the opening stages of his second professional season, there has been plenty of hype and speculation surrounding the Frenchman’s future. 

Seixas currently has a contract with Decathlon CMA CGM, his first since turning professional, that runs through until the end of the 2027 season. The Frenchman has enjoyed a successful start to 2026, winning a stage and finishing second overall at the Volta ao Algarve, soloing 40km to victory at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, before finishing runner-up in Siena.

Speculation increased following Strade Bianche when Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws reported that UAE Team Emirates-XRG had signalled their intent to sign the Frenchman. 

Seixas’s younger brother, Nino interned with the UAE over the previous winter, only adding fuel to the fire in terms of media speculation.

Nino, who is 17 and competes on the road and cyclocross, just like his older brother did, posted to Instagram in December wearing a team kit stating, "My internship in Benidorm with UAE Emirates XRG has ended. I had a fantastic and educational week. Many thanks to Matxin, without whom none of this would have been possible."

UAE Sports Manager Matxin Joxean Fernandez was asked by Het Laatste Nieuws about Seixas before the start of Strade Bianche, and he didn’t give any hints away, rather highlighting the fact that the Frenchman is currently tied to a contract with Decathlon.

Seixas’s agent Joona Laukka also represents fellow French rider Benoît Cosnefroy, who made the switch from Decathlon to UAE for the 2026 season, showing that the pathway exists for a potential deal.

Meanwhile, the feeling inside the French team's camp is positive. Following the speculation, Decathlon CMA CGM Team CEO Dominique Serieys stated to British journalist Daniel Benson, “I’m confident, honestly speaking,” regarding securing the long-term future of the 19-year-old. 

"If Paul does not want to stay, that is his decision. That’s why I’m confident. But if he does believe in our project, then we will move forward together," said Serieys.

According to the reports, Seixas and his entourage have made the decision to put talks on hold with the French team regarding his contract until after the Ardennes Classics.