Cycling: 5 things to know about Paul Seixas, the “future Bernard Hinault”

He's the revelation of the Critérium du Dauphiné. At just 18 years old, Paul Seixas impressed the world of cycling by climbing to 8th place in the overall standings of this race on Sunday, June 15. The Lyon native has a climber's profile, at 1.84 meters tall and weighing 61 kg, but also enjoys time trials.

In his first professional season, the prodigy has attracted praise from several big names in cycling and given hope to French supporters.

A few days before his 18th birthday, Paul Seixas signed a professional contract with the AG2R team last September. The Lyon native was then "in demand by all the top teams," according to L'Équipe . This was due to the fact that he had just finished third in the European Road Cycling Championships, junior category.

This first professional contract didn't put him under any pressure, quite the contrary. Five days after signing, he was crowned junior time trial champion. His coach Alexandre Pacot already described at the time " his abilities certainly superior to the majority of riders his age" in an interview with Ici Pays de Savoie.

On June 8th, the young cyclist set off for the Critérium du Dauphiné , only his second participation in a major event. In one week, Paul Seixas made his mark. On the fourth day, the Frenchman finished the time trial in 10th place. Thanks to good results in the 6th and 7th stages, he climbed to 6th place in the general classification at the start of the last day. A fall ten kilometers from the finish meant he finished his race with bent handlebars.

After the race, he explained that he "suffered on every climb as if it were his last." He still managed to hang on and finished eighth in the final standings. "Eighth is a dream, I never would have imagined it," rejoiced the prodigy, so proud to have " managed to hang on to super strong riders that I saw on TV."

Given these results, the French hopeful has earned the respect of his peers. Starting with that of Aurélien Paret-Peintre, one of his teammates at AG2R, the one with whom he shared a room during the race. "He has a maturity different from some young people. He's also different in his professionalism, his quest for results, and his ambition. You can definitely feel that he's a special guy," the 29-year-old cyclist confided to Direct Vélo .

The winner of the Critérium and the last Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar, praised the young Frenchman's qualities. " This kid is fantastic. He's also very respectful in the peloton and rides his bike well," noted the Slovenian. "He's a big engine and if the French media don't put too much pressure on him, he has a great future ahead of him."

The media, like the French public, are already seeing Paul Seixas as a "new Bernard Hinault," the legend who won the Tour de France five times between 1978 and 1985. These are high expectations that aren't always healthy for cyclists. Sébastien Joly, sporting director of AG2R, prefers "to avoid comparisons with this or that person or a great champion of the 1980s" and instead recommends keeping "a cool head."

The young Frenchman feels this excitement, but isn't worried about it and is coping "very well" with the expectations. "I'm enjoying the chance to ride with these big names in my first year as a professional. I don't feel the pressure. I know there can be some, but honestly, I don't put it on myself at all."

For Paul Seixas, participating in the Tour de France this year, or even the Vuelta a España at the end of the summer, is out of the question. "A major Tour is a 100% no. Last year he was still a junior," recalls Sébastien Joly. "We'll go until the end of this season, we'll take stock, and then we'll consider what's next."

Fans will therefore have to find another "favorite" to support during the Tour de France . Other cyclists are raising hopes in France, notably Lenny Martinez. At 21, the latter won the final stage of the Critérium on June 15. He will undoubtedly be one of the hopes of the next Tour de France, which will take place from July 5 to 27.