Dceathlon CMA CGM's Paul Seixas has been spotted training in the high Alps as the day counts down to the start of the Tour de France and the 19-year-old super talent continues to recover from his crash injuries.
Local newspaper Le Dauphiné spotted the French rider climbing the Col du Galibier on Thursday, with teammates Nicolas Prodhomme, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Gregor Mühlberger, and Matthew Riccitello. Romain Bardet, who has been announced as the team's future sports manager, also rode with Seixas.
Decathlon had said that Seixas and his teammates would carry out reconnaissance rides of the three Alpine stages during a final training camp as the days count down to the start of the Tour. This year's Grand Boucle ends with mountain stages to Orcières-Merlette and then two climbs to Alpe d'Huez on consecutive days via the iconic hairpins and the lesser-known Col de Sarenne.
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Seixas will not ride the French National Championships on Sunday and will travel directly to Barcelona on Tuesday for the Tour de France Grand Départ.
He is expected to target the GC on his Tour debut, with French fans hoping he can one day win the Tour. Seixas' career trajectory has indicated he is destined for greatness but he crashed hard at the recent Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and then abandoned the race.
He suffered major road rash to his forearms and hip, admitting he "slid like a toboggan, on my front. I grated myself on the road." He was forced to train indoors as he recovered but travelled to the Alps to ride outdoors and stay at altitude. He has been seen with bandages on his arm, two weeks after his crash.
Seixas underwent an MRI scan on Tuesday to rule out any consequences of his crash at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and had since upped his training intensity, even riding in the rain on Wednesday.
Decathlon were supposed to name their eight riders for the Tour de France on Tuesday but delayed their announcement as they wait for final checks on rider fitness and health.
According to L'Équipe, Decathlon are concerned about Daan Hoole. The Dutch rouleur and time trialist would be an important domestique for Seixas but withdrew from the Dutch National Championships TT this week.
Prodhomme, Paret-Peintre and Riccitello are expected to form the core of the Tour squad, with Mühlberger selected after his impressive support ride for Felix Gall at the Giro d'Italia.
Stefan Bissegger and Hoole are likely selections but the Decathlon team management have to decide if sprinter Olav Kooij is given a place in the final eight-rider roster.
Decathlon are expected to name their Tour line-up after the National Championships at the weekend and final medical checks and considerations.
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