What is Paul Seixas' big concern ahead of 'incredible' Tour de France 2026 Alpe d'Huez test? - 'It's quite dangerous'
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Updated 24/07/2026 at 13:21 GMT+1
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French cycling star Paul Seixas has expressed his concerns ahead of tackling the famed Alpe d'Huez on Stages 19 and 20 of the 2026 Tour de France. The climb has seen several spectators get close to riders in the past, posing something of a risk.
'Something special' - Breakaway preview Alpe d’Huez double header
Video credit: TNT Sports
Competing at his first Tour at just 19 years-old, the highly-rated Seixas sits fourth in the general classification as he chases down a podium place.
In something of a baptism of fire for the Decathlon-CMA CGM rider, he and the rest of the peloton face back-to-back stages of gruelling climbs that will shape and re-shape the standings before Sunday’s Paris finale.
Live coverage of Stage 19 and Stage 20 of the Tour, plus Sunday's concluding stage, will be live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Part of the infamy of the venue comes from the fact that large and often boisterous crowds are always expected, often positioned within touching distance of riders on the climb, with little by way of a barrier separating them.
In 2018, Vincenzo Nibali was forced to abandon the race on Stage 12 after crashing when his handlebars appeared to get tangled up with a spectator’s camera strap on Alpe d'Huez.
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With thousands of fans expected in attendance to cheer on their new homegrown hero, Seixas, speaking to reporters after Stage 18, says he’s hoping to avoid a similar fate.
”It's certainly incredible,” Seixas said of the venue. ”But above all, I hope I don't crash on the climb because I think there will be a lot of spectators, and we've seen that it's quite dangerous.
”I just hope everything goes well. After that, it's my legs that will decide.”
Expectations on the Frenchman has been high after he became the youngest rider at the Tour de France since 1937.
Although he sits 7'11” behind Tadej Pogacar in yellow, he still has a top-three finish in his sights with Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates – XRG teammate Isaac del Toro just 20 seconds up on him in the final podium spot.
As Richard Carapaz soared to victory on Stage 18, Seixas admitted that he, like other GC riders, were keeping something in the tank ahead of their Alpe d'Huez test.
”With the fatigue of the third week, I think you have to pace yourself," Seixas said. "We rode well today, we stayed together for a long time, Daan (Hoole) was really impressive.
”I think it was a day that took its toll on everyone's legs, but the main objective was to conserve energy.
”The next two days will be very tough and will be where the Tour will be decided, at least for the podium. I'm happy to have had a smooth day."
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Highlights: Carapaz storms to Stage 18 win as Pogacar suffers team-mate blow
Video credit: TNT Sports
The battle for a podium finish comes as current third-place Del Toro, as well as leader Pogacar, have seen their UAE teammates impacted by a possible illness spreading through their camp.
UAE suffered a huge blow when domestique Brandon McNulty was forced to abandon the race on Stage 18 with a stomach bug, and that also seems to have impacted Adam Yates and Tim Wellens.
Seixas hopes sickness doesn’t play a role in his battle with Del Toro, nor the rest of the race as a whole.
”I think a few riders are a bit sick on their team, it's definitely a shame for them,” he lamented.
”We'll see how we ride tomorrow, we'll see how those riders are doing afterwards, but I hope Pogacar and Del Toro aren't sick. That's not how we want to race. But I think it will be physically tough for everyone tomorrow.”
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