Decathlon Cycling Team to Build Around Teenage Star Paul Seixas with New Signings

The French cycling team Decathlon is set to bolster its roster with four or five new riders, aiming to build the team around the promising 19-year-old talent, Paul Seixas. Team director Dominique Serieys announced the plan in an interview with Le Parisien.

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We will get four or five new riders, whom we will present in early September.

Serieys confirmed that the new signings will be unveiled in early September. He emphasized that the team has identified the necessary elements and developmental direction. The strategy involves assembling a squad with numerous support riders, not solely focused on the Tour de France.

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Under all circumstances, we have identified the elements and the development that the team needs to be infused with. Now we are building a team with many support riders. And not just for the Tour de France.

Seixas, who achieved a remarkable fourth-place finish in the general classification of his Tour de France debut, has been given space to focus on his performance without pressure regarding his future. Serieys noted that the media attention and interest from other major teams have created a narrative that the team itself has not imposed.

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The pressure is media-created and fueled by those who are trying to court him.

Decathlon aims to create a competitive environment that facilitates Seixas's pursuit of victories. Serieys highlighted Seixas's youth, noting that even with a contract extension, he will still have a significant portion of his career ahead of him. The team is committed to supporting his continued growth and success.

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One must remember that Paul is 19 years old. Regardless of whether our extension is for three or five years, he will only be 23-24 years old.