Vizille – June 7, 2026: The 19-year-old Paul Seixas is at the starting line of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, held from June 7 to 14, 2026. After a successful start to the spring season, including wins at La Flèche Wallonne and the Tour du Pays Basque, the French rising star is now targeting the overall victory in this challenging stage race.
Seixas, who rides for Team Decathlon-CMA CGM, has prepared intensely for this race. A three-week altitude training camp in the Sierra Nevada was designed to help him further improve his form. Despite his youth, he is already considered one of the favorites, especially in the absence of top riders like Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard.
The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes route comprises eight stages covering a total of 1,208 kilometers. The mountain stages are particularly demanding, including the finish on the Grand Colombier and the finale on the Plateau de Solaison. These challenges offer Seixas the opportunity to demonstrate his climbing skills and prepare for the Tour de France.
Seixas’ teammates, including Stefan Bisseger and Daan Hoole, will support him on the flatter stages, while Léo Bisiaux, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Matthew Riccitello, and Nicolas Prodhomme are expected to work for him in the mountains. This team composition could be a preview of the line-up for the Tour de France in July.
Although Seixas is regarded as a favorite, it remains to be seen how he will fare against strong competitors such as Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) and Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek). Both have delivered impressive performances in the past and could pose serious challenges for the overall victory.
The initial stages of the race will be crucial for assessing the form of Seixas and his rivals. A successful start could give him the confidence needed for the more demanding mountain stages. Spectators can look forward to seeing whether the young Frenchman can turn his ambitions into reality.
The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes not only serves as a test for Seixas but also as an important preparation for the Tour de France, which begins on July 4, 2026, in Barcelona. A strong performance in this race could significantly boost his chances for a good placement at the Tour de France.
The coming days will reveal whether Seixas lives up to his reputation and can secure the overall win at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. For the talented Frenchman, this could be the first step toward a successful career in the world of professional cycling.