Teenage racing phenomenon Paul Seixas, from France, expresses his pride following his advancement to 6th position in the General Classification of Critérium du Dauphiné, a feat he previously observed on television.
As France bids farewell to Romain Bardet in the final stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné, they're getting a glimpse of the future in the form of 18-year-old Paul Seixas. The Lyonnais teenager climbed two spots up the GC in Saturday's queen stage to Valmeinier 1800, leaving quite an impression.
Though it's premature to crown Seixas as the next Grand Tour contender, it's becoming crystal clear that this kid is gifted beyond his years. This talent was on full display during the ride to Valmeinier 1800, particularly on the final ascent, where Seixas had teammate Bruno Armirail set a blistering pace at the front of a yellow jersey group. This pack included Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and several other cycling heavyweights.
After crossing the finish line, Seixas chatted with CyclingPro.Net, admitting he struggled during the day. Nonetheless, he was thrilled with how he held his ground against the race's top guns. "Honestly, I handled it well. It was heavily demanding, both mentally and physically," he said.
Seixas confessed that he fought off fatigue during the first climb, but he found his rhythm on Croix de Fer when the pace eased slightly. His primary objective on the final climb to Valmeinier 1800 was to conserve energy rather than match the full-throttle pace of the Visma squad. Armirail was tasked with shielding Seixas, and he chose to set his own pace instead of going all-out right away. In the end, his strategy paid off.
At just 18, Seixas is still gaining valuable race experience, learning not only about rival teams and riders but also about the climbs and conditions. The heat on the Valmeinier 1800 stage took a toll on him, "especially towards the end. When you're pushing at full throttle, it hits you ten times harder."
As Seixas continues to grow, so does his confidence. He has steadily risen in the GC rankings in every stage of the Dauphiné and heads into the final day looking to defend his sixth place. "Of course, I've gained a lot of confidence. The riders I'm competing against are guys I used to watch on TV, they're really strong, and I've managed to stay with them and compete. I feel incredibly proud about that," he said.
Talent Unleashed
Paul Seixas, a French road cyclist born on September 24, 2006, in Lyon, is one of the most promising young talents in the sport. Known for his junior success, including French Junior National Championships in cyclocross and other disciplines, Seixas quickly made a name for himself among professionals [1][2][3].
In his rookie season, Seixas snagged his first professional podium on Paris-Camembert, finishing second. He built on that success at the Tour des Alpes, where he placed second and third on stages, won the points classification, and ended up 12th overall [2].
Seixas made history in June 2025 when he became the youngest rider in the modern era to start the Critérium du Dauphiné. He impressed with a strong performance in the individual time trial, finishing in the top 10 and briefly holding a top spot in the general classification [2][4].
Known for his climbing prowess [3], Seixas is viewed as a potential contender for Grand Tour success. However, at just 18, he'll likely focus on gaining experience and supporting teammates before becoming a leader or podium contender in the Grand Tours [2][3]. With each passing day, this French sensation is one to keep an eye on in the cycling world's future.
Paul Seixas, a budding road cyclist from France, continues to showcase his talent in sports, particularly during the Criterium du Dauphiné. His impressive climb two spots up the GC in the queen stage to Valmeinier 1800 left a lasting impression, even among cycling's heavyweights. As he heads into the final day, Seixas, with his growing confidence and consistent performance, is quickly becoming a promising contender for future Grand Tour success.
