'Five against seven is complicated' - Paul Seixas determined to fight on after setback in Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes team time trial

Paul Seixas faced a challenging debut in the team time trial (TTT) at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where his team, Decathlon CMA CGM, finished seventh, trailing stage winners Visma-Lease a Bike by 45 seconds. The 19-year-old French rider, considered a strong contender for the overall classification, now sits twelfth in the general standings, one minute behind race leader Alex Baudin. Despite the setback, Seixas remains resolute, emphasising that the race is far from decided with five stages still to come. The TTT proved particularly difficult for Decathlon CMA CGM, who were handicapped by the absence of two key riders. Matthew Riccitello had already abandoned the race due to illness, and Swiss time trial specialist Stefan Bissegger was lost early in the stage, leaving the team with just five riders against rivals who fielded full squads of seven. Seixas acknowledged the disadvantage, describing the situation as “complicated,” but praised the efforts of his remaining teammates, including Dan Hoole and Aurélien Paret-Peintre, for their strong performance under difficult circumstances. After the stage, Seixas addressed his teammates with a message of resilience and perspective, urging them not to be disheartened by the time lost. He stressed that the deficit was manageable and that the team would continue to fight for the overall victory. While acknowledging the time gained by rivals such as Matteo Jorgenson and Oscar Onley, Seixas refused to view the TTT result as a major blow, instead framing it as a challenge to overcome in the coming mountain stages. Decathlon CMA CGM’s management had intended for Seixas to gain experience in a team time trial ahead of the Tour de France, and despite the less-than-ideal outcome, this objective was met. The focus now shifts to how the young French leader will respond in the demanding terrain ahead. Seixas’s determination to “keep fighting” and his composed reflection on the setback suggest he is ready to harness his strengths in the mountains and continue his pursuit of overall success in the race.