Paul Seixas: Tour de France Winner 2031

[Gigs_98]

When did the French last have a truly great mainstream sportsman? Thierry Henry?

Victor Wembanyama will be one of the worlds most famous sportspeople very soon

 

[CyclistAbi]

Zizou is rather famous.

 

[Sciatic]

Victor Wembanyama will be one of the worlds most famous sportspeople very soon

Excellent point!

 

[Old-school]

Victor Wembanyama will be one of the worlds most famous sportspeople very soon

Very good point. I was waiting for the moment when someone would finally quote him 😀
Nothing to do with, but imagine the look on the shopkeeper's face when Wemby walks into a bike shop to buy a racing bike. "Hmm, let's see what we can do, but it's gonna complicated....."

 

[RobertCrawley]

When is the team going to decide whether Seixas rides the Tour?

 

[RobertCrawley]

Victor Wembanyama will be one of the worlds most famous sportspeople very soon

Deeply intelligent, interesting, gregarious, dedicated to his art, and one of the best basketball players in the NBA.

Barring injury (knock on wood), he will conquer the world.

 

[Alexandre B.]

When is the team going to decide whether Seixas rides the Tour?

After Liège.

 

[RobertCrawley]

After Liège.

Thanks!

 

[Hugo Koblet]

When is the team going to decide whether Seixas rides the Tour?

They did probably in december.

 

[Coppi-Bartali]

I think they decided a while ago that he'll go to the Tour. They just want to generate expectation.

Just as I think they've known for a while that he'll renew, that's why they signed Sivakov as his domestique, but they need this narrative to justify they move to Switzerland.

 

[Keldergoat]

When did the French last have a truly great mainstream sportsman? Thierry Henry?

I'd argue that if there is a country in Europe that can't complain about absolute superstars in male sports, it's France. Wemby and Mbappe are all best-in-class in massive sports. Add Dupont, Riner, Marchand and Seixas to that list, although these sports are smaller, and you have quite a list. Don't think Germany or England can match that at the moment. My country has two, though a fun fact is that neither of them ever lived in the Netherlands.

 

[Brullnux]

My country has two, though a fun fact is that neither of them ever lived in the Netherlands.

It's a common misconception but Xavi Simons did live in the Netherlands during his early childhood.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Poor Seixas, now we are discussing Xavi Simmons.

 

[BahamontesPhantom]

I'd argue that if there is a country in Europe that can't complain about absolute superstars in male sports, it's France. Wemby and Mbappe are all best-in-class in massive sports. Add Dupont, Riner, Marchand and Seixas to that list, although these sports are smaller, and you have quite a list. Don't think Germany or England can match that at the moment. My country has two, though a fun fact is that neither of them ever lived in the Netherlands.

Mbappe yes, I don’t know Wemby.
England have Kane who is better than Mbappe , and nobody really cares about Kane in England, maybe that’s what I meant. Not like Henry who was a sensation and the fans loved him.
France have Dembélé too though, I forgot about him.

 

[cafe_rider]

What are "mainstream sports" though. Football is really the only truly global game and Mbappe is not the biggest star there but is pretty close. Other than that basketball is pretty much next and Wemby is similarly a top 5 superstar. I do not think you can put Seixas up with Marchand and Dupont as they are really "best in world" in sports with smaller audiences but future potential is there. Tennis and Golf are likely the only other big global sports and Alcaraz is not at the Federer/ Nadal level yet and McIlroy really the only globally known golfer. In athletics it is Mondo really as the only known "brand" - always a good tell when there is a single word name - Mondo. Wemby, Pog

 

[Keldergoat]

It's a common misconception but Xavi Simons did live in the Netherlands during his early childhood.

I was referring to MvdP and Verstappen. No effing way that Xavi Simons is allowed to be even mentioned in this debate.

@ Bahamontes. Wemby is in the MVP debates with Jokic and SGA; that's quite astonishing for a player in his third NBA season. Seixas is not among the 5 most famous cyclists yet, but with this trajectory, he will be in 2028. Kane might be having a better season than Mbappe, but I'd rank Mbappe higher, having excelled in two World Cup finals is something special.

 

[rallybanana]

What are "mainstream sports" though. Football is really the only truly global game and Mbappe is not the biggest star there but is pretty close. Other than that basketball is pretty much next and Wemby is similarly a top 5 superstar. I do not think you can put Seixas up with Marchand and Dupont as they are really "best in world" in sports with smaller audiences but future potential is there. Tennis and Golf are likely the only other big global sports and Alcaraz is not at the Federer/ Nadal level yet and McIlroy really the only globally known golfer. In athletics it is Mondo really as the only known "brand" - always a good tell when there is a single word name - Mondo. Wemby, Pog

Football, boxing, tennis and formula 1 are probably the only sports that have consistently produced globally known superstars. Athletics also but that's only because of the olympics (although you could argue that athletics is the olympics). But it's not the 1970s anymore where there was only a handful of major sports events on TV or radio and everyone knew the big stars. I don't think Wemby (who I never heard of before yesterday) will be famous outside of USA, France and the global basketball community.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Football, boxing, tennis and formula 1 are probably the only sports that have consistently produced globally known superstars. Athletics also but that's only because of the olympics (although you could argue that athletics is the olympics). But it's not the 1970s anymore where there was only a handful of major sports events on TV or radio and everyone knew the big stars. I don't think Wemby (who I never heard of before yesterday) will be famous outside of USA, France and the global basketball community.

Oh he will. Wemby has GOAT potential and is already a global superstar

 

[the asian]

Oh he will. Wemby has GOAT potential and is already a global superstar

Unanimously voted Defensive player of the Year

 

[Krzysztof_O]

BTW watch out for the French public behavior during the Tour editions in which Seixas is among contenders for victory. His future rivals (Teddy, Vingo or maybe other guys) won't have it easy anymore!

 

[Potomac]

I can't assess the globe for sports recognition. I might be able to assess sports awareness in the USA.
American soccer fans know Henry and Mbappe and probably a few more.
But the average sports fans in the US? maybe not.
How many times in a row would Seixas have to win the le Tour before an American sports would hear is name on a sports channel?

 

[Potomac]

I don't think Wemby (who I never heard of before yesterday) will be famous outside of USA, France and the global basketball community.

I think his name recognition in the US is limited to basketball fans. I can't speak for Texas. Would a regular person in Texas have heard is name through osmosis?

 

[Didinho]

Oli Naesen said in a podcast that Paul is going to the Tour. Then they asked if it was decided and he covered it up with saying “I expect he will be riding, good for the owner and sponsors”.

First see how he does this week. Tomorrow he can win Flèche already. In Liège he could be really close to Pogi I think. Like Remco was a big factor in the Ronde, Paul (and/or Remco) could be decisive Sunday.

 

[Sciatic]

Oh he will. Wemby has GOAT potential and is already a global superstar

And will get more global exposure playing for France in the upcoming summer Olympics.

 

[Lorzenz08]

For LBL my bet is he will follow Pogi on la redoute but crack a bit later