placing him alongside the early days of legends like Bernard Hinault or Laurent Jalabert.
According to Voigt, Seixas is the first rider in a long time capable of matching Pogacar’s pace on the steepest climbs, stressing that “he is a talent of this century. He is the rightful successor to Tadej Pogacar because he’s the first rider to stay with him for a very long time.”
Paul Seixas, Pogacar’s heir
Even so, the German warns against rushing stages of development and highlights the fragility a rider his age may face when confronting the extreme demands of a Grand Tour without the psychological preparation to handle setbacks.
The debate over his presence at the next Tour de France is on the table, but Voigt is unequivocal. While he believes Seixas should ride to learn the race, he flatly rejects the idea that he should fight for the yellow jersey at this point in his career.
The expert notes that the Décathlon team, despite its fine work, still lacks the infrastructure and experience to protect a leader at the world’s biggest race against squads with massive budgets. In this regard, Voigt states that “the team isn’t ready for that this year. They lack the tactical power and the strength to carry a jersey and defend it. It would be a frustrating experience for the kid.”
Pressure from the French media
Media pressure in France is another risk factor flagged by the veteran German. With the press always hungry for new national heroes, the weight of expectation could backfire on a rider who is only beginning to discover his potential.
Voigt’s recommendation is clear: allow Seixas to go to the Grande Boucle without the obligation of watching the general classification, focusing exclusively on stage wins and daily learning.
For the analyst, the goal must be long term: “I would tell him: kid, go there as a stage hunter, look, learn something, but forget the GC. In two years he’ll be a legitimate contender for the podium or even the overall win.”