France’s cycling hope Paul Seixas is making his debut at the Tour de France this year – at an unusually young age.
Don’t be afraid of the biggest stage: 19-year-old French top talent Paul Seixas wants to take part in the Tour de France for the first time this summer. His team Decathlon – CMA CGM announced this on social networks. The tour starts this year on July 4th in Barcelona.
Despite his young age, Seixas had recently caused a sensation among the world’s best. After impressive victories at the Tour of the Basque Country and the Fleche Wallonne In Belgium, the shooting star recently had to admit defeat only to the dominator Tadej Pogacar in the spring classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
“It’s my childhood dream, something I’ve often imagined, and now it’s within reach“, explained Seixas – and immediately launched a declaration of war on Tadej Pogacar, Florian Lipowitz and Co: “It doesn’t correspond to my mentality or my vision of cycling to compete in the Tour de France just to gain experience. I’m only 19, but age is neither a barrier nor an excuse.“He be”ready“and will”set ambitious goals“.
Praise from Pogacar
Pogacar then praised his designated successor highly. “We will continue to work hard to win as much as possible in the next few years until he destroys everyone,” said the Slovenian about Seixas. “The fact that Paul can compete at such a high level in such a large field at the age of 19 motivates everyone else to continue working to improve.”
The last time on the tour was a 19-year-old in 1937
Seixas will be 19 years, 9 months and 10 days old on the day of the first stage, making him the youngest participant in the tour since Adrien Cento in 1937.
In the recent past, even the greatest talents were often not sent to the start of the Tour of France in the first years of their careers. Pogacar, for example, made his debut at the age of 22 and immediately won the overall ranking.
Long dry spell for France’s cycling fans
The internal pressure on Seixas to succeed is likely to be limited this year, but the attention will be huge. The French cycling enthusiasts have been waiting for a winner from their own country for 41 years. In 1985 Bernard Hinault triumphed.
