Paul Seixas cleared as France’s collective failure is blamed

Paul Seixas has been spared individual blame for France’s disappointment at the world championships, with former rider Jérôme Pineau identifying a wider team failure instead. The RMC Sports consultant said the French strategy was sound, but the team lacked the strength to support its leader through the decisive phase.

Seixas finished 15th in the road race after cramps ended his challenge on the final lap. The Lyon rider had remained in contention for victory and had been considered one of France’s leading hopes, especially after Tadej Pogacar withdrew following a crash on the eighth stage of the Vuelta.

Pineau said Seixas was isolated around 70 kilometres from the finish, after Bruno Armirail’s work had helped the French team. He argued that the young leader was then forced to handle tasks such as collecting bottles, closing gaps and riding on flatter sections instead of concentrating fully on the finale.

Seixas had blamed himself after the race, calling the cramps a major personal failure despite saying he had felt exceptionally strong. Pineau rejected that interpretation and also defended national coach Thomas Voeckler’s tactical decisions. The assessment leaves France’s lack of collective support as the main explanation for a result that had promised much more.