Paul Seixas named France's clear world leader

France will build its world championship road race campaign around Paul Seixas after national coach Thomas Voeckler identified the young Lyonnais as the country’s undisputed leader. The decision gives Seixas a central role ahead of the race in Montreal on September 27, with seven riders selected to support him.

Voeckler unveiled the French team on Friday, having already confirmed that Seixas would be included. He described the rider as operating above the rest of the French field on demanding courses and said the team’s interests at the championships depended on his leadership. France, however, will not start as one of the favourites.

The coach’s assessment places Seixas above even Julian Alaphilippe at his peak in terms of the gap separating France’s leader from the rest of the selection. Alaphilippe won the world title in 2020 and 2021 and was the main figure in Voeckler’s previous French teams. Voeckler also compared the current situation with the period when Laurent Jalabert led France.

The decision to centre the squad on Seixas has meant leaving out Lenny Martinez, Romain Grégoire and Benoît Cosnefroy. The riders chosen for Montreal are expected to accept supporting roles, with Voeckler presenting their work for Seixas and the French jersey as the team’s priority.