Does Pogacar have a new rival? Young superstar backed for big things in 2026 - 'One of the biggest talents in cycling'
Published 10/03/2026 at 16:58 GMT
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Tadej Pogacar made another ominous statement of intent with a dominant victory at Strade Bianche, but the young man some way back in second will hope to get much closer to the sport's dominant rider in future races. Paul Seixas, just 19 years old, has emerged as a top talent, and Jonas Vingegaard has suggested he could one day compete for the yellow jersey at the Tour de France.
'He's unbelievable' - Blythe tips future star to challenge Pogacar
Video credit: TNT Sports
Paul Seixas has been tipped as a potential Tour de France winner and challenger for Tadej Pogacar after a rapid rise to prominence.
The teenager finished second behind Pogacar at the recent Strade Bianche, only increasing the hype around his future.
And two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard has backed the Decathlon rider to challenge for the biggest titles.
"He is certainly one of the biggest talents in cycling right now," Vingegaard said. "He will have time to win the Tour de France."
Attempting to temper expectations slightly, Vingegaard added: "Whether he can be a real contender this year, it’s too early to say.
"It’s always difficult to know who will compete for the Tour de France victory. I’m not saying it can’t be this year. I just want to wait a bit and see if he can do it.
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Highlights: Pogacar powers to Strade Bianche win, teenager Seixas second
Video credit: TNT Sports
"There is a lot of pressure around him. I haven’t spoken with him.
"For a French rider to be one of the biggest names and have the opportunity to win the Tour de France in the future naturally brings a lot of pressure. He just needs to stay as calm as possible."
Seixas is also on the radar of TNT Sports expert Adam Blythe, who highlighted the youngster's performance in Tuscany, where he held off the likes of Isaac del Toro, Romain Gregoire and Gianni Vermeersch to take second, with star names in Tom Pidcock and Wout van Aert further back in the final standings.
"He's unbelievable, 19 years old," Blythe said after Strade Bianche. "If he keeps improving, him and Tadej Pogacar are going to have some right ding-dong battles in the future to come."
There has been high praise from Decathlon Directeur Sportif Luke Rowe, too.
"He's legit. This guy [Seixas] is special," Rowe said on the Watts Occuring Podcast. "He's super professional, lovely bloke - just down to earth.
"He's still a kid, he's just a jolly kid riding his bike. He doesn't think about the consequences, he just goes and races. He just wants to win everything, smash everyone… he's a special guy."
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While there is understandable excitement about Seixas, he will have some serious work to do to reach Pogacar's levels.
The dominant UAE Emirates-XRG star was too good again at Strade Bianche, leaving his competitors in his wake once more.
"You have to feel for everybody else," said TNT Sports' commentator Brian Smith. "They're up against an anomaly in cycling with Pogacar.
"Paul Seixas is delivering a great effort to get on the podium, but there's not a lot you can do when this man is in this imperious form.
"This has been as straightforward a win as any rider could possibly ever hope to have in any bicycle race anywhere on planet earth."
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