Seixas and Pogacar at UAE? The Frenchman is already starting to shake up the market

The rumors about Paul Seixas' future have begun to circulate strongly in the peloton just hours after his spectacular performance at the Strade Bianche 2026. According to the Belgian media HLN, UAE Team Emirates-XRG is closely monitoring the young French talent with the intention of incorporating him into their structure in the future.

Interest in Seixas Soars

The information comes just after this Saturday's race at the Strade Bianche, where Paul Seixas delivered a performance that confirmed why many consider him one of the most promising riders in the peloton. The 19-year-old Frenchman was the only cyclist able to respond to Tadej Poga?ar's brutal attack in one of the decisive sectors of the sterrato.

The Slovenian himself acknowledged after the race that he saw the young rider very strong at that moment and decided to push to the maximum to ensure he could drop him definitively. From there, with Poga?ar already on his way to a new solo victory, Seixas took on the responsibility of leading the chasing group.

RECOMENDADO

Strade Bianche 2026: times and how to watch the Pogacar first race of the season

When do helmets have to be changed? Do they have an expiration date?

Titanium rods with a lifetime warranty and 3D printed: Atherton's bet for Trail and DH

The new Merida Reacto V breaks the 200-watt barrier to reach 45 km/h: more aerodynamic, lighter, and designed to fly

Giant expresses the aerolight concept in its new Propel: the lightest aero bike in its history

Which hairstyle is more aerodynamic? It is tested in Specialized's wind tunnel

In the final phase of the race, the Frenchman made another offensive move. He went on the attack, and only Isaac Del Toro was able to follow his wheel. However, the collaboration between the two was practically nonexistent. After the finish, Seixas explained that the Mexican made it difficult for him to ride on several occasions and that, once they escaped together, he refused to take turns. Despite this, the Frenchman ended up dropping him as well to cross the finish line in second place, achieving one of the most notable results of his still short professional career.

The performance in Siena has only reinforced the image that the young French rider has earned over the past year. In just his second season as a professional, Seixas is already competing with the best in top-level races, something that many within the WorldTour interpret as a sign that his growth potential is still enormous.

In France, his figure is being followed with special attention. Within the country's cycling community, he is seen as one of the great hopes to aspire to the Tour de France in the future, an expectation that also explains the interest he generates among the most powerful teams in the peloton.

In this context, the information published by the Belgian media HLN appears, which indicates that UAE Team Emirates-XRG has already begun to explore the possibility of signing the French rider. The goal would be to strengthen their future project around a generation of young talent that can sustain the team's dominance in the coming years.

The operation would be striking for two reasons. On one hand, because Seixas has a contract with Decathlon AG2R until 2027, which means that any real movement would still take time to materialize. And on the other, because the Emirati team has focused in recent years on developing riders within their own structure rather than on high-profile signings.

Moreover, the interest attributed to the team contrasts with recent statements from their sports director, Joxean Fernández "Matxín," who stated that there was no direct interest in the French rider.

Regardless of whether the rumor turns into a real negotiation, the fact is that Seixas' name is starting to appear more frequently in market conversations. His progression and ability to perform in tough races have made him one of the most watched young riders in the peloton.

Meanwhile, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale has defended that the rider feels comfortable within the French team, where he has an ideal environment to continue his development without excessive pressure.

However, in a peloton dominated by figures like Poga?ar, it is not surprising that some teams are starting to look towards the future. And for many within international cycling, Paul Seixas could be one of the names destined to mark that next generation.