Paul Seixas has character to challenge Tadej Pogacar for yellow jersey at Tour de France 2026, says UAE Team Emirates-XRG boss Joxean Fernandez Matxin
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Published 23/06/2026 at 17:55 GMT+1
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UAE Team Emirates-XRG sports manager Joxean Fernandez Matxin believes the manner in which Paul Seixas bounced back from crashing during the Tour Auvergne-Rhone Alpes makes him a serious threat to Tadej Pogacar's fifth Grande Boucle crown.
'Taken a bit of skin off him' - Seixas looks worse for wear after dramatic crash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Such has been Seixas' meteoric rise, Decathlon CMA CGM have made the 19-year-old team leader in his first Tour de France, which begins on July 4, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
For many of the best stage-racers, France's national championships a fortnight out from the Tour is viewed as their final preparation - but Seixas has given himself a clear run at Pogacar by skipping the road race in Les Vals du Dauphine.
The cycling world is waiting to see if someone can emerge to break up the Pogacar-Mathieu van der Poel duopoly, and Matxin believes allowing the Frenchman to fully recover from the impact of the Stage 7 crash on the descent of the Cote de Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens is a shrewd move.
"Despite his crashes, or perhaps even because of them, we saw a super Seixas, who was really strong, even more than we expected. I'm not talking about his final result but about his character," Matxin told BiciPro.
"I think he's one of Tadej's biggest rivals for his poker of five wins. His crash showed he's strong physically and mentally. He doesn't give up, otherwise he would have chased back and closed a four-minute gap.
"Seixas has to be considered a contender, even if he's never ridden a Grand Tour. When you show certain things, there's no need to be afraid of a three-week race.
"I put him up there alongside Jonas Vingegaard and what he showed at the Giro. We can't underestimate anyone."
Seixas did not suffer fractures in the high-speed fall, but he sustained multiple bruises and lots of road rash which made it not viable for him to finish the race - despite closing a four-minute gap - as Isaac del Toro was guided to eventual overall victory.
The Frenchman is far from the only rider eyeing an upset against the reigning champion. Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike, Remco Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and, potentially, Juan Ayuso of Lidl-Trek are all expected to be in contention for places on the final Tour de France podium.
At the Tour de Suisse, Visma-Lease a Bike sports director Gaetan Pons echoed the widespread admiration for Pogacar's form while predicting another compelling general classification battle on French roads.
"He showed he’s in great shape, and it’s a good sign for us ahead of the Tour de France," Pons told L'Equipe. "Jonas showed he was very strong too at the Giro. There’s going to be a real battle this year."
Matxin: We must approach Tour with Plan B
While both Visma-Lease a Bike and Decathlon-CMA CGM are expected to arrive at the Tour with clear single-leader strategies, UAE Team Emirates-XRG appears to have the luxury of a strong alternative option in Del Toro.
Following his victory at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, Matxin believes the young Mexican has demonstrated his credentials as a potential Plan B.
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'It's insane' - Del Toro reflects on Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes triumph
Video credit: TNT Sports
”We also sent out a clear message; we showed how good Del Toro is for the Tour," Matxin said.
”What I like is that he never lost hope and never lost sight of the final goal, despite the break gaining time in the early stages.
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"His qualities mean he can aim for anything. I've never liked the word 'captain', even though it’s obvious that a hierarchy must exist within a team of this size.
”What matters to me is that Isaac gets the opportunity to make his breakthrough. That means we can approach the Tour with a genuine Plan B. He knows he can win a Grand Tour, and that belief is important."
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