French cyclist finishes 15th at World Championships

Paul Seixas, a 20-year-old French cyclist, hoped to win the world road cycling champion title after Tadej Pogacar, a dominant rider, was absent. However, he finished 15th at the event, expressing regret over his performance. Seixas had been positioned well during the race but was left alone after his team's strategy of repeated attacks failed. He experienced cramps and had to stop 3.7 kilometers from the finish line.

Seixas had a strong season before the event

Seixas had a strong season prior to the World Championships, winning the Tour of the Basque Country and Flèche Wallonne, finishing second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and securing fourth place at the Tour de France. He also won his first Monument, the Tour of Lombardy. His only notable failure of the season was his 15th place at the World Championships, which had been one of his main objectives.

Future plans may change Seixas’s race schedule

With the 2027 World Championships in Haute-Savoie scheduled around the climb of Domancy, Seixas may consider skipping the Tour de France due to the five weeks separating the two events. The short recovery period between the Tour de France and the World Championships is seen as a challenge, as it would require a precise balance between recovery and preparation. In 2026, Seixas took a seven-week break after the Tour, and repeating the Tour-World Championships sequence in 2027 may not be ideal for competing against rivals like Tadej Pogacar.

Alternative route could help Seixas prepare better

As an alternative, the Giro d'Italia could offer Seixas a better preparation period for the World Championships, allowing him to finish a Grand Tour by the end of May and then focus on the World Championships in August. However, opting out of the Tour de France remains a significant decision for the French team and its future leader.

Team director says Seixas will likely compete in a Grand Tour

Julien Jurdie, a sports director at Decathlon CMA CGM, stated that while nothing is decided yet, it is difficult to imagine Seixas not participating in a Grand Tour. He emphasized that the decision will be made by the general management and the entire staff, but Seixas is expected to participate in a Grand Tour with high ambitions.