“The biggest contract in cycling history”: Q36.5 aims to break the market to sign Seixas

At just 19 years old and yet to debut in the Tour de France, Paul Seixas is once again at the center of the most significant rumors in the cycling market. The young French talent from Decathlon CMA CGM is reportedly being closely followed by several of the most powerful teams in the peloton, and a potential deal could break all known salary records to date.

Paul Seixas would already have a record offer on the table: he could become the highest-paid cyclist in history

In recent days, various speculations about Seixas's future have emerged, but it has been journalist Daniel Benson who has given credibility to the most widespread rumor. In his newsletter, Benson claims that the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team backed by Pinarello has already contacted the French rider's camp to explore his signing once his current contract with Decathlon CMA CGM ends at the conclusion of the 2027 season.

A figure that would change the cycling market

The published information points to a proposal close to 13 million euros per season, an unprecedented amount in modern professional cycling. If confirmed, Seixas would become the highest-paid rider in the peloton, even surpassing the salaries typically attributed to Tadej Pogačar, currently considered the great sports and economic reference in world cycling.

For now, there is no signed agreement or official confirmation from those involved. However, Benson claims that the rider's representative has confirmed the interest of the Swiss team.

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Q36.5 has already shown it can compete for the big stars

Although the figure is surprising, the context helps to understand why this rumor has gained credibility. The team has demonstrated in recent years a great financial capacity thanks to the backing of billionaire Ivan Glasenberg and already made one of the major market moves with the signing of Tom Pidcock for the 2025 season.

Additionally, the structure has significantly strengthened its roster over the past two years with the aim of establishing itself among the major projects in international cycling and ambitiously facing its debut in the Tour de France.

Everyone wants the French phenomenon

The interest from Q36.5 would not be an isolated case. Various specialized media have linked Seixas with several of the most powerful structures in the WorldTour, including UAE Team Emirates XRG, Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Lidl-Trek, or INEOS Grenadiers.

Meanwhile, Decathlon CMA CGM does not seem willing to let go of the great jewel of its project. And all signs point to the fact that the French team is already working to improve the renewal conditions for the rider beyond 2027, with even talk of the mediation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The rider destined to challenge Pogacar and Vingegaard

The enormous expectation surrounding Seixas is not solely due to his youth. Within the peloton, there is a sense that he is the first talent of his generation with real potential to contest the dominance currently held by Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard in the grand tours.

Precisely that combination of youth, early results, and room for growth is what would be driving a bidding war that, if the published figures are confirmed, would mark a before and after in the economy of professional cycling.