'I'm going for the win' – Paul Seixas sets out his stall for Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes as Tour de France build-up intensifies

Paul Seixas, the promising 19-year-old French cyclist, has declared his intention to target victory at the upcoming Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, signalling a significant step in his preparation for the 2026 Tour de France. Having finished eighth overall in last year’s edition of the race, Seixas has not competed since his impressive second place behind Tadej Pogačar at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly known as the Critérium du Dauphiné, is widely regarded as a crucial warm-up event for the Tour de France, often featuring similar terrain and climbs, making it an ideal platform for Seixas to test his form. Seixas has already demonstrated his burgeoning talent this season with a string of standout performances, including a dominant overall win at the Itzulia Basque Country, where he claimed three stages and all the secondary classifications. He also triumphed at the prestigious La Flèche Wallonne, underscoring his versatility and strength in both one-day and stage races. Speaking ahead of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Seixas emphasised his ambition and the importance of the race in assessing his recovery and readiness following three weeks of altitude training. The race holds particular significance for Seixas, who was born in Lyon, the largest city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, adding a layer of local pride and expectation to his participation. As the leading French contender for the Tour de France, his performance will be closely watched by fans and commentators alike, especially given the presence of formidable rivals such as Juan Ayuso and the UAE Team Emirates duo João Almeida and Isaac del Toro. Seixas has expressed confidence in his familiarity with the local roads and the strategic value of the race for his team’s preparations for the Tour. Decathlon CMA CGM, Seixas’s team, has announced a strong seven-rider squad for the eight-day race, which begins with a challenging mountainous stage from Vizille to Saint-Ismier. The team includes American climber Matthew Riccitello, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season with victories in the Tour de la Provence and Tour du Jura, and who has supported Seixas in previous races. This line-up reflects the team’s ambition to support Seixas’s bid for victory while gaining valuable insights into the demanding routes that will feature in the Tour de France.