The youngest rider within the males’s WorldTour, Paul Seixas (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), is in the course of his debut race in biking’s high division, the UAE Tour, this week. After a powerful debut on the GP La Marseillaise, he admits it seems like “one other world.”
Labelled a ‘tremendous expertise’ after taking house the junior time trial world title in Zurich final yr, Seixas is calm when he speaks, exhibiting no indicators that he is feeling the strain of French and worldwide media hyping him up as a star of the longer term.
“The sensation is nice, it’s one other world from all of the races I’ve finished aside from La Marseillaise. I’m fairly completely happy to be right here and benefit from the second,” Seixas advised Cyclingnews forward of stage 1 within the UAE.
“It’s one other stage right here nevertheless it proved I might be in my ingredient and never be final on the stage of the race. However I don’t know the place I’m so we are going to see.
“I will simply attempt to benefit from the second and sure, the media is one thing, however you need to maintain targeted on the race and do your job. That’s it.”
At simply 18, he is certainly one of a number of 2006-born riders anticipated to make an on the spot impression after skipping the U23 stage and leaping proper into the WorldTour alongside Albert Withen Philipsen on Lidl-Trek.
Remco Evenepoel has most notably proved that this route can work. Nonetheless, it requires a relaxed head and heaps of expertise to succeed. These round him at Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, nevertheless, are assured that Seixas possesses such traits.
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“He’s tremendous gifted and already on a very good stage,” Felix Gall advised Cyclingnews earlier than stage 3. “After I was his age for me it was a a lot tougher course of, so it’s a bit arduous for me to think about how it’s however I believe he’s coping with it tremendous effectively.
“He appears additionally actually relaxed and is simply having fun with being right here racing and taking the following steps.”
Whereas Seixas’ presence in a powerful five-rider assault in Marseille and the dash he managed after they had been caught to take fifth impressed everybody, Gall is Decathlon’s chosen chief within the UAE.
“I believe we are going to trip for Felix, we have now nice hope with him,” mentioned the 18-year-old. “He’s a really robust rider and I like him. I hope he’ll get a fantastic consequence and I’m right here to assist him so I’ll get pleasure from it this week.”
The Austrian received one of many Tour de France’s hardest levels in latest reminiscence into Courchevel in 2023 and has been working lots on his time trial to make him extra of an entire GC rider.
“I believe as a group we’re making good progress [in time trialling] however for me personally, I’m now actually in path,” mentioned Gall.
“I’ve at all times had issues the previous years that I used to be not in a position to put down the ability on the TT bike. I’d at all times get a numbness, a tingling feeling in my decrease legs after which after 10 minutes I used to be mainly standing nonetheless.
“Then we lastly discovered an answer and yesterday was not the longest, however a very good indication for the remainder of the time trials this season. It’s a little bit of a aid to not lose a lot time.”
Gall began stage 3 sitting nineteenth, 51 seconds down on total chief Josh Tarling (Ineos) after the race towards the clock, whereas Seixas began in twenty third an additional 4 seconds again on GC.
With consistently altering wind situations throughout the stage 2 time trial, Seixas ended up within the more durable window and needed to produce save to stop himself from crashing however in the end misplaced extra time than he would have appreciated.
“I believe as we speak’s trip was not unhealthy perhaps I used to be in good condition however the wind was so robust for 20 minutes, so it was tough to set time as we speak,” Seixas advised Cyclingnews after stage 2.
“It may have been higher if I used to be earlier however that’s the sport and as we speak was only a good effort and we’ll see within the coming days.”
With the primary of two mountaintop finishes to Jebel Jais on provide throughout the third stage, Gall is worked up for his first climbing take a look at in 2025. However, after all, the presence of Tadej Pogačar adjustments issues, with the Austrian sure of the world champion making an attempt one thing earlier than the standard dash for the climbers.
“I’m feeling nice, I had a very nice altitude camp. I’m in good condition and I’m excited to race. At present is the primary take a look at,” mentioned Gall.
“I by no means did the climb however I shall be shocked if Tadej waits for the dash. It isn’t the toughest however I believe he needs to go early, final 2-3kms that’s what I personally anticipate.
“Sunday is unquestionably a lot better for me however we actually wish to be prepared when Tadej is attacking and you need to be actually targeted within the remaining because it’s not the standard mountaintop end.”
Seixas echoed what he mentioned earlier than stage 1 that Gall was the group’s focus, nevertheless, the Austrian is assured in his younger teammate being proper up there with him.
“I’m fairly positive he shall be up there,” Gall mentioned. “That’s for the plan for the ultimate that we’re collectively.”