Alberto Contador doesn't think it's impossible for Seixas to win the Tour

Alberto Contador does not rule out that Paul Seixas could become the main protagonist of the next Tour de France. The two-time Tour winner, now a commentator for Eurosport, analyzed the options of the young French talent during an appearance on the channel itself and, although he acknowledged that Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard are clear favorites, he did not close the door to a possible surprise.

Alberto Contador does not rule out Seixas for winning the Tour: “I dare not say it is impossible”

The presence of Seixas in the 2026 Tour de France has become one of the major talking points in the weeks leading up to the race's start. At just 19 years old, the Decathlon CMA CGM rider arrives surrounded by enormous expectations after a first half of the season that has placed him among the great revelations of world cycling.

When asked on Eurosport about Seixas's real chances against riders of the caliber of Pogacar or Vingegaard, Contador was clear in pointing out who the main candidates for the yellow jersey are, although he also left the possibility of a surprise open.

“Let’s see, I think there are riders by their own merits, like Tadej Pogacar, who has won four, or Vingegaard himself, who has won two, who are theoretically ahead of him as favorites, since he is an unknown. But to dare to say that it is impossible for Paul Seixas to win the Tour, I’m sorry, I do not dare to say it.”

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The words of the two-time Tour winner reflect the feeling that currently exists in the peloton. No one doubts that Pogacar and Vingegaard are the great references of the race, but the talent shown by Seixas in recent months has led many to wonder how far he can go in his first participation in the Grande Boucle.

The pressure should not be a problem

Another aspect that Contador was questioned about was the enormous media pressure that will surround the young Frenchman during the three weeks of competition. Far from considering it an obstacle, the Eurosport commentator believes it could even become an additional stimulus.

“I think it will almost be an extra motivation. The pressure that a champion usually puts on themselves is infinitely greater than that which comes from the outside, from the newspapers, from the public, from fans, from television… The pressure you put on yourself, because of how ambitious you are, because you want to win, is always much greater than that which comes from the outside.”

The great French attraction of the 2026 Tour

The expectation surrounding Seixas is particularly high in France, where many fans dream of finally finding a rider capable of bringing the country back to the top step of the podium in Paris. His victory in the Itzulia and the performances shown during the spring have raised expectations that few riders have generated at such a young age.

Although Contador believes that Pogacar and Vingegaard are ahead in the list of favorites, his statements make it clear that the Spaniard also does not dare to set limits on the phenomenon Seixas. And in a Tour de France where any detail can change the script, that is already a lot to say.