The hype and expectation about Paul Seixas' talent and his ability to duel with Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche seems unstoppable, but the French teenager seems able to handle it all.
With a Gallic shrug, wise words beyond his 19 years, and natural inner calm, Seixas played down his chances of somehow beating or even staying with Pogačar on the gravel roads of Tuscany, yet he remained quietly ambitious. His predestined talents appear natural.
"I don't read what people say about me, but for the moment, any comparison with Pogačar is not real or relevant," Seixas said when asked by Cyclingnews at the Strade Bianche team presentation in Siena on Friday afternoon.
"When you see what race I did and why they're comparing me, it doesn't make sense. I'm just focused on my training and on progressing. Maybe one day I can stay with Pogačar. But I know what I can do, and I just hope to give 100%."
Seixas may be modest, but barring crashes and punctures, he is expected to be close to Pogačar's wheel whenever the Slovenian decides to accelerate on the decisive gravel sectors and slice open Strade Bianche.
Seixas appears to have great spring form and showed his WorldTour credentials at the recent Volta ao Algarve and by winning last Saturday's Faun-Ardèche Classic with a 40km solo attack.
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