Paul Seixas and Olav Kooij have both been named by Decathlon CMA CGM for their eight-rider roster at the 2026 Tour de France. Speculation had been swirling for over a week if 19-year-old French talent Seixas would recover enough from a recent crash to make his debut at the Grand Boucle.
There was doubt also about Kooij taking part in his first-ever Tour de France, already a three-time stage winner at the Giro d'Italia at age 24. Now the debutant duo will have leadership roles as part of a line-up with Tiesj Benoot, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Nicolas Prodhomme, Cees Bol, Daan Hoole and Matthew Riccitello, also making his first appearance at the race.
The confirmation Seixas' recovery was also confirmed today, just five days ahead of the Grand Départ of the Tour in Barcelona, Spain.
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"After my crash and withdrawal from the Tour [Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes], I was able to resume my training for the Tour de France almost as usual, adjusting a few sessions due to my injuries. With five days to go before the Grand Départ, I feel ready to give it my all to complete these three weeks and achieve the best possible finish," he said in a team statement.
"I’m not setting a more specific goal because I’m heading into the unknown – I’ve never competed in a race this long and demanding before. I hope to be a key player, continue to improve, and also enjoy myself. This is the race I’ve always dreamed of, and I realize how lucky I am to be able to compete in it so early in my career.”
The team delayed the announcement of their Tour squad until the conclusion of a weekend full of road National Championships, with neither Seixas nor Kooij competing at their respective Nationals. Seixas was healing from a crash on stage 8 at Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes where he suffered major road rash to his forearms and hip. Meanwhile, Kooij delayed the start of his season due to a lingering virus.
Kooij comes into the Tour with three wins this season, but in only nine days of racing, last winning stage 4 at Baloise Belgium Tour two weeks ago,
"My start to the season wasn’t what I’d hoped for, but we managed to stay patient and keep working. The victories I’ve earned in recent weeks, since returning to competition, have really boosted my confidence," Kooij added in the team statement about his selection.
"I know the competition will be fierce since we’ll be racing in the world’s biggest cycling race, but our goals are clear—both for the team and for me: for Paul to finish as high as possible in the overall standings and win at least one sprint stage."
The duo will have support from a large number of Grand Tour veterans, Benoot making his 11th appearance in a three-week race and his first as part of the Decathlon team. Paret-Peintre, Prodhomme and Bol each have sevent Grand Tour appearances.
With his start on stage 1 on July 4 in Barcelona, Paul Seixas, at the age of 19 years, nine months, and 10 days, will set the mark as the youngest rider since 1937 to have been part of the Tour de France.
"We’ve put together a very well-rounded and united team, made up of riders profiles are well-suited to achieving our goals," said Dominique Serieys, general manager and CEO of Decathlon CMA CGM.
"Paul Seixas will be making his Tour de France debut as part of this team, with the goal of achieving the best possible result while focusing on learning. Olav Kooij, who will also be competing in his first Tour France, will have several opportunities to showcase his speed in sprint finishes.
"With this lineup, the team led by Luke Rowe – who will be making his Grand tour debut tour a sports director – will aim for the general classification and will try to secure at least one stage victory whenever the opportunity arises."
Decathlon CMA CGM for the 2026 Tour de France
- Paul Seixas
- Olav Kooij
- Tiesj Benoot
- Matthew Riccitello
- Cees Bol
- Aurélien Paret-Peintre
- Daan Hoole
- Nicolas Prodhoome
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