'You have to constantly feel things could go wrong' – Decathlon CMA CGM explain why Paul Seixas is racing the team time trial in Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Paul Seixas, the promising 19-year-old rider for Decathlon CMA CGM, is set to take part in the team time trial (TTT) at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, marking his first full-scale TTT as a professional. This 28.4-kilometre stage serves as a crucial rehearsal ahead of his debut Tour de France, which also opens with a TTT in Barcelona. While some top contenders have opted out of the race to focus on altitude training or reconnaissance, Seixas views this event as an invaluable opportunity to gain race experience in a discipline that demands precision and collective effort. Decathlon CMA CGM’s sports director, Luke Rowe, emphasised the unique challenges of racing a TTT in competition rather than training. He explained that the intensity and unpredictability of a race cannot be replicated in practice, with riders needing to push themselves to the brink from the outset. Rowe highlighted that a smooth TTT often indicates a lack of sufficient speed, underscoring how teams must constantly manage the risk of mechanical issues or crashes that can decisively impact their performance. For Seixas, mastering this pressure-filled environment is essential, especially given the high stakes of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The team has already faced adversity with the withdrawal of Matthew Riccitello due to illness, forcing a last-minute adjustment to their TTT strategy. This setback illustrates the fragile nature of TTT success, where losing even one rider can significantly affect the group’s collective strength and rhythm. Racing close to their service base in Grenoble adds a layer of expectation for Decathlon, as they seek to capitalise on home advantage and local support while managing the inherent tensions of the event. Despite these challenges, Seixas has demonstrated strong individual time-trialling capabilities earlier in the season, including a notable victory in the Itzulia Basque Country and competitive performances against elite riders like Filippo Ganna and Juan Ayuso. The team has also invested in extensive TTT training on closed circuits, yet acknowledges that only real race conditions can fully prepare Seixas for the demands of the Tour de France. As the Decathlon squad sets off from Perreux, the experience gained here will be pivotal in shaping Seixas’s readiness for the world’s biggest cycling stage.