Paul Seixas: Tour de France Winner 2031

[Lorzenz08]

That was the best ride of his season as far as I'm concerned, a level above even his Dauphiné showing. It's already practically unheard of for a first-year U23 to even finish the men's road race, let alone to do so in 13th on a route so brutal that only 30 guys finished. Another year with as much development as he's had this year (obviously not a given) and he's riding for the podium at the Worlds and/or Lombardia in twelve months, which is insane to even think about.

He needs to podium the Vuelta in twelve months if he wants to be equal to Juan Ayuso

 

[AlfaLum]

That was the best ride of his season as far as I'm concerned, a level above even his Dauphiné showing. It's already practically unheard of for a first-year U23 to even finish the men's road race, let alone to do so in 13th on a route so brutal that only 30 guys finished. Another year with as much development as he's had this year (obviously not a given) and he's riding for the podium at the Worlds and/or Lombardia in twelve months, which is insane to even think about.

Would say he has beaten his best ride of the season again today.

 

[Lorzenz08]

I think the odds are getting higher that one day we will have a Seixas vs Del Toro on the TdF the way we have a Pog vs Vingegaard today.

 

[Valv.Piti]

2031 is too late. I think he's the second best climber in the world when 2027 TdF rolls around

 

[AlfaLum]

The selfie with Pogacar and Evenepoel is quite cute.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Would say he has beaten his best ride of the season again today.

I will go one step further and say that this was the best performance in a one-day road race by any first-year U23 ever, ahead of Evenepoel's San Sebastián win in 2019. And that was a performance I thought would remain the best ever for that age bracket for sixty years, not six.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I will go one step further and say that this was the best performance in a one-day road race by any first-year U23 ever, ahead of Evenepoel's San Sebastián win in 2019. And that was a performance I thought would remain the best ever for that age bracket for sixty years, not six.

Considering he was best of the rest and only lost to peak Remco and peak Pogacar, I'd say you are right. Probably has been something better in the early days though. This guy is absolutely insane and should be considering as big or very close to talents like Pog and Remco

 

[Netserk]

The crazy thing is that it's not a surprise. This was in the cards after Rwanda.

Okay, when Evenepoel attacked on Enfer and it was just the three best on the day together, it was even better.

 

[James M]

The crazy thing is that it's not a surprise. This was in the cards after Rwanda.

Okay, when Evenepoel attacked on Enfer and it was just the three best on the day together, it was even better.

Nevertheless, even if I agree, its still impressive imo to be this consistent at this lvl at such a young age, its rare. For once, Im actually excited to follow the development of a French rider. Super intriguing talent.

 

[Cycling111]

Let's hope the French press doesn't destroy him.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The French Tour drought has lasted 40 years. Here comes the hope that not all former French Tour winners will be dead before the next one arrives.

 

[hayneplane]

Great ride today. Would like to see him ride the Giro next year.

Something like:
Algarve
Strade
Tirreno Adriatico
TotA
Giro
French Nationals
San Sebastián
Quebec and Montreal
Worlds

 

[Netserk]

Great ride today. Would like to see him ride the Giro next year.

Something like:
Algarve
Strade
Tirreno Adriatico
TotA
Giro
French Nationals
San Sebastián
Quebec and Montreal
Worlds

Agreed, but perhaps with a more quiet buildup.

I think the Tour awaits him in 2027.

 

[Lorzenz08]

Great ride today. Would like to see him ride the Giro next year.

Something like:
Algarve
Strade
Tirreno Adriatico
TotA
Giro
French Nationals
San Sebastián
Quebec and Montreal
Worlds

I think Tirreno could be very good.

Giro or Vuelta is a given in my opinion.

Actually this might seem crazy but if he shows a steady and strong progression these next few months. A TdF debut might be a possibility

 

[hayneplane]

I think Tirreno could be very good.

Giro or Vuelta is a given in my opinion.

Actually this might seem crazy but if he shows a steady and strong progression these next few months. A TdF debut might be a possibility

I don’t think he would look out of place at the Tour but doing the Giro first would be better for development as maybe more room to attack and show tactical moves and have a genuine podium possibility.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I think next year, he should target one week stage races and debut in GTs just in 2027. 2027 Giro and 2027 WC should be his goals.

 

[Pantani_lives]

France has hyped many riders as the "next French Tour winner", from Jalabert and Virenque to Pinot and Bardet, but this time the prospects are the best in a very long time. During the Tour 2031 Pogacar will be 32, Evenepoel 31, Lipowitz 30, Ayuso 28, Del Toro 27 and Seixas 24. Who wants to make an early bet?

It's just impossible to make predictions in the longer term. Other riders might come along, who had a gradual growth and weren't young stars loaded with high expectations. Seixas has the potential for success, but he'll need a few years to grow in a calm environment that keeps him away from unnecessary hysteria.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

France has hyped many riders as the "next French Tour winner", from Jalabert and Virenque to Pinot and Bardet, but this time the prospects are the best in a very long time. During the Tour 2031 Pogacar will be 32, Evenepoel 31, Lipowitz 30, Ayuso 28, Del Toro 27 and Seixas 24. Who wants to make an early bet?

It's just impossible to make predictions in the longer term. Other riders might come along, who had a gradual growth and weren't young stars loaded with high expectations. Seixas has the potential for success, but he'll need a few years to grow in a calm environment that keeps him away from unnecessary hysteria.

A lot of things can happen in this time period. There's still a good chance Seixas will never win the Tour. In 2019/2020 it seemed that Pogacar, Bernal & Evenepoel could dominate in GTs but nobody saw Vingegaard coming. Pogacar will likely be retired in 2031 but there are so many variables. What if Lipowitz or Del Toro makes another big step? Or somebody less known makes huge progress like Vingegaard in years 2021-2022?

I'm more certain about the next two years at the Tour (no new winner appears), that's it. 6 years ahead is like fortune-telling.

 

[Lorzenz08]

France has hyped many riders as the "next French Tour winner", from Jalabert and Virenque to Pinot and Bardet, but this time the prospects are the best in a very long time. During the Tour 2031 Pogacar will be 32, Evenepoel 31, Lipowitz 30, Ayuso 28, Del Toro 27 and Seixas 24. Who wants to make an early bet?

It's just impossible to make predictions in the longer term. Other riders might come along, who had a gradual growth and weren't young stars loaded with high expectations. Seixas has the potential for success, but he'll need a few years to grow in a calm environment that keeps him away from unnecessary hysteria.

In 2031 for now I only see Del Toro and Lipowitz being massive performers.
I think Pogi will be retired, and I think Evenepoel will have declined.

 

[Tonton]

After such a performance, I too get a bit carried away. I can see a top-5 in Lombardia to cap off Paul's season.

For the future, it will come down to AG2R resisting the pressure from ASO and the media: not get him to the Tour too early. I like the Giro idea for next year, or in '27. Paul Seixas probably needs more one week races to build up and have what it takes to race consistently over three weeks.

What I like about him so far is how he's handling himself, both on and off the bike. He looks ready for the spot lights.

 

[RedheadDane]

I like the Giro idea for next year, or in '27. Paul Seixas probably needs more one week races to build up and have what it takes to race consistently over three weeks.

It really is a shame there are no major 2-week (weekend-to-weekend) races.
As it is now, it comes across a bit like: "Okay, you've proved that you're good over 7-8 days. Let's try more than doubling that!"

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Great ride today. Would like to see him ride the Giro next year.

Something like:
Algarve
Strade
Tirreno Adriatico
TotA
Giro
French Nationals
San Sebastián
Quebec and Montreal
Worlds

I agree with a schedule like this. I'd like to see him do quite a few one day races as well, so perhaps Ardeche and Drome instead of Algarve would be fine. Also perhaps some Italian classics at the end of the year would be fine. That said, I think there's a decent chance he's going to the Tour already next year.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Late to the bandwagon but hopping aboard

 

[Cookster15]

Also late to the bandwagon.

This 19 year old kid is rising like a rocket. I vaguely knew who he was before the Euro champs. Now he comes 3rd ahead of riders like Ayuso and Skjelmose? If Pog retires early he might well win the Tour before 2031 when he would be still only 25.

Hopefully another top result in Lombardia to cap off 2025, then we can look forward to 2026.

 

[hayneplane]

I agree with a schedule like this. I'd like to see him do quite a few one day races as well, so perhaps Ardeche and Drome instead of Algarve would be fine. Also perhaps some Italian classics at the end of the year would be fine. That said, I think there's a decent chance he's going to the Tour already next year.

Either/or with the season opener plan works for me.

Italian classics at the end of year would for sure be there if still fresh enough. Look at someone like Lipowitz even at 24 who did great in Dauphine then Tour and looked spent for the year afterwards to see how you can’t take for granted being able to go for many different objectives.