Alex Carera weighs in on Paul Seixas transfer rumors, says Paula Blasi remains unsigned for 2027, and backs Isaac del Toro ahead of the Tour de France.
Carera, left, shown here with Pogačar, pushed back on salary reports for Seixas. (Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Updated June 29, 2026 08:53AM
The agent behind Tadej Pogačar has disputed widely circulated reports valuing Paul Seixas at €13 million per season and denied that rising Spanish star Paula Blasi has signed with a new team.
Alex Carera, who represents both Pogačar and Blasi, told Velo the reported valuation of the French phenom was “absolutely not true.”
Carera said he had spoken directly with the head of Pinarello-Q36.5 and also rejected reports that Blasi had already agreed to join Movistar for 2027.
“I know because I know from the boss of Pinarello that it’s absolutely not true,” Carera told Velo. “It’s not the real value.”
Journalist Daniel Benson first reported Pinarello-Q36.5’s interest in Seixas, and reported that any eventual deal could be worth up to €13 million per season.
The reported salary would make Seixas the highest-paid rider in cycling, surpassing the widely reported €8 million to €10 million peloton-leading salary earned by Pogačar.
Pinarello-Q36.5 officials did not comment when contacted by Velo last week.
Seixas has become the hottest name on the men’s transfer market after his breakout season and remains under contract with Decathlon-CMA CGM through 2027.
Carera — one of cycling’s leading agents — said it was too early to value Seixas alongside the peloton’s biggest earners.
“When he wins four Tours, maybe yes,” Carera said of Seixas.
Backing Del Toro for Tour breakthrough
Carera called Seixas one of cycling’s brightest young talents, but cautioned against elevating the 19-year-old too quickly.
“I think some people don’t understand that they push the new rivals of Tadej too much,” Carera told Velo.
“The young guys need time. It’s step by step. Sometimes it’s easier to arrive at the top than stay on the top.”
Carera instead pointed to Isaac del Toro, another of his clients, saying he believes the Mexican has a better chance than Seixas at this year’s Tour de France.
“[Seixas] is a super big talent, but in the Dauphiné, the day before he crashed, he couldn’t drop Del Toro,” Carera said.
“Honestly, I think Del Toro has more chance than Seixas in the Tour.”
No Blasi deal signed yet
Carera also denied reports that Blasi has already agreed to join Movistar for 2027.
“Until now we have not signed anything,” Carera told Velo. “It’s another fake news story.”
Carera confirmed the Spanish phenom — set to debut at the Tour de France Femmes this summer — has received interest from several top teams, including Movistar, Lidl-Trek, UAE, Canyon and Alpecin, but no agreement has been reached.
“We want to see how she rides in the second part of the season before making any decision,” Carera said. “We have only communicated to UAE that it’s not sure she will stay in 2027.
“The problem is that people love fake news more than true news,” he said.
