Seixas wins Tour of Lombardy

Paul Seixas concluded the season with a victory in the Tour of Lombardy, a prestigious one-day race in Italy. This win added to his growing reputation as a rising star in professional cycling.

Seixas's Tour de France participation raises concerns

Seixas’s participation in the Tour de France this summer has sparked concerns about the risks involved in his career trajectory. Despite finishing fourth in the Tour de France and winning the Tour of Lombardy, he has not fully addressed doubts raised by Sean Kelly, a respected figure in the sport.

Sean Kelly questions Seixas's career strategy

Sean Kelly, a nine-time winner of classic races known as monuments, has expressed skepticism about how Seixas’s career is being managed. He is particularly concerned about Seixas entering the grueling Tour de France at the age of 19 with ambitions to compete for the overall victory.

Kelly warns of long-term consequences

Kelly warned that the extreme demands of the Tour de France at such a young age could negatively affect Seixas’s future performances. He told Velo that the intense competition and daily efforts might hinder Seixas’s potential, possibly preventing him from reaching a higher level than he could have if he had been introduced to such challenges later.

Kelly acknowledges Seixas's achievements

Despite his concerns, Kelly praised Seixas’s performances, highlighting his victories in the Tour of the Basque Country, La Flèche Wallonne, and the Tour of Lombardy. He also noted Seixas’s strong showing in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which confirmed the high level of fitness and power he had demonstrated in training.

Kelly questions Seixas's future potential

Kelly raised the question of whether Seixas still has room to improve, suggesting that his current level might already be his peak. He wondered whether Seixas would continue to progress or if he had already reached his highest potential as a cyclist.

Kelly compares Seixas to Tadej Pogacar

Kelly also highlighted Tadej Pogacar, a Slovenian cyclist renowned for his versatility, as a formidable benchmark for Seixas. He noted that unless Pogacar suffers a significant decline in performance due to a recent accident, Kelly does not foresee Seixas surpassing him in the near future.