The official presentation of its Decathlon – CMA CGM team in the premises of the Décathlon Campus in Villeneuve-d’Ascq this Thursday morning in the fog of a winter in the North was obviously the most anticipated. Paul Seixas has, of course, not lifted the fog over his participation, or not, in the next Tour de France. He first wants to concentrate on his spring program with Liège-Bastogne-Liège in focus in April.
What are your ambitions for the 2026 season?
PAUL SEIXAS. Of course, it’s to raise your arms. Afterwards, there will be several objectives in the season and I first want to perform well alongside the team. It’s kind of the only frustration of last year, not having raised my arms. I also took part in a lot of big races, especially at the end of the season, so it was more complicated to win. This year, the ambition is to win a race.
There is this question that will come up again and again: Tour de France or not Tour de France?
I really put that aside, actually. The decision will be made when we think about it. So that means when I have already done some shopping. Either way, it will always be complicated to make the choice. It’s more about how me and the team fit together. But it’s not an obsession.
Felix Gall, the team’s usual leader for the general classification, will compete in the Giro and the Vuelta. This leaves an opening…
Yes but everything will also depend on my level. The reflection will not be based on the riders who will be lined up in the team. For now, I really want to win. From the start of the season, I will not impose any barriers on myself.
What would a successful season be for you?
Honestly, I don’t know. It will depend on my progress compared to last year. It’s above all not making mistakes, not falling, not hurting myself and then raising my arms.
How was your winter in terms of workload?
For the moment, things are going very well. I took a four-week break. So and I started again about a month ago. I had no problems, no injuries, no missed training, that’s the most important thing. Everything is in order. We are on schedule.
Have you left your parents’ home?
I have already moved to Nice. For working conditions, it’s great for riding. Honestly, I love the region. It’s a pleasure to be able to spend the winter there. When you’re in December, you gain three or four degrees at home and it’s complicated. There is fog, we can’t see the sun. In Nice, we have the sun, we have fifteen degrees. And frankly, when you want to put everything in place to succeed, it’s still important to have the right training conditions.
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