French cycling's rising stars

At 20, Paul Seixas already represents France in international cycling, but many other young French riders remain unknown to the public. Among them, five cyclists stand out for their potential and are on track to make their mark in the sport.

Soen Le Pann's injury and talent

Soen Le Pann, 17, is a climber who has been sidelined since August due to a knee injury. Despite this, he is considered one of the top French talents of his generation, with a strong record in junior competitions.

Le Pann's achievements and recovery

Le Pann had a consistent 2026 season, with his worst result being a 17th place at Paris-Roubaix. He also won ten races in six months, including a notable victory at Aubel-Thimister-Stavelot, a race previously won by a French cyclist only in 2014.

Simon Defrance's versatility

Simon Defrance, 18, is a classic rider trained in Belgium with the Soudal Quick-Step team. He has already won the French championships and finished second at the World Championships, showing his ability in various race types.

Defrance's focus on Flemish courses

Defrance excelled in the Flemish mountains this season, winning both Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne and Nokere Koerse. He will continue his development with the UAE Team Emirates junior team in 2027.

Aubin Sparfel's junior success

Aubin Sparfel, 20, is a puncheur who has already made a name for himself in junior racing. He won the Tour of Brittany, a stage of the Giro Next Gen, and the Tour of the Future.

Sparfel's WorldTour debut

Sparfel will make his WorldTour debut in 2027 after completing his junior career with the Decathlon CMA CGM team. His performance in professional races will be crucial in confirming his potential.

Victor Devos's rapid rise

Victor Devos, 17, is a classic rider who, despite being a first-year junior in 2026, has already distinguished himself in his category. Trained with the Soudal Quick-Step team, he won his first UCI race at the Keizer der Juniores.

Devos's skills and ambitions

Devos is versatile and excels on the tough Flanders courses. He also enjoys cyclo-cross and has ambitions to make a big impact in the U19 category in 2027 if his development continues.

Maxime Vezie's quiet rise

Maxime Vezie, 20, is a puncheur who has remained outside the radar of major WorldTour teams. He started his junior career with the VC Pays de Loudéac club and continued with the CIC Pro Cycling Academy.

Vezie's future goals

Vezie has steadily climbed the rankings, finishing third at the Tour of Brittany and Paris-Camembert. He aims to chase victories in 2027 before joining Cofidis in 2028.