“We said we were talking about it after Liège”: Paul Seixas maintains suspense over his participation in the Tour de France

He discovered the Huy wall, scene of the arrival of the Flèche Wallonne, for the first time this Tuesday before sitting in a lounge in a hotel in Verdiers, very close to the finish. And this discovery was not likely to disturb Paul Seixas. The best French talent since Bernard Hinault displayed his usual relaxation before his two big races of the week. La Flèche Wallonne this Wednesday then Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday against Tadej Pogacar.

What do you remember from the reconnaissance of the Mur du Huy this morning?

PAUL SEIXAS. The only thing that surprised me was the state of the road. She’s a little worse than I thought. But apart from that, there is also width, even if on TV, we already realize it a little. Doing it in real life is obviously different than seeing it on TV. The way of filming biases the vision a little. So there you have it, it was interesting to do it today.

You are more of a climber specialized in long efforts. How are you going to approach this type of event with a final climb of less than three minutes?

I have no certainty, since I have never faced one against other very good punchers. But I know I can be pretty good. This is precisely the goal for tomorrow, to situate myself. Before the Tour of the Basque Country, I had worked on this specifically.

What image did you have of this ordeal?

Very beautiful images nonetheless. La Flèche Wallonne, what is remarkable is that it is always a good group which arrives at the foot of the Huy wall. And it’s still also a very beautiful spectacle to see on TV. These duels on a dry climb. This plus the memory of Julian’s victory (Alaphilippe in 2021). I wanted to do it one day. It’s a race that is still legendary. It’s not a monument, but there it is, it’s close to one.

Without Tadej Pogačar, without Remco Evenepoel, that opens the doors a little. Do you accept favorite status?

I don’t tell myself that I’m the big favorite. My point of view is more to test myself on this effort. Afterwards, obviously, with the team, we will try to put everything in place to achieve the best result. But I have not set myself the obligatory ambition to win.

Could your lack of experience play a role?

There is a first for everything. And that’s why I don’t set myself the direct ambition of saying to myself: I absolutely have to win this race. I’m not placing myself as a favorite because I don’t know about this effort yet. I don’t know the race, the placements. Obviously, it’s going to be a good discovery.

There are two big races this week with Liège on Sunday. Which is the most important?

Liège is still a monument that the Flèche is not, but the Flèche is also a very big race. So afterward, do I have a priority among the two? I would rather lean towards Liège which suits me better.

Last year at the Tour of Lombardy and then at the European Championships, you were able to follow riders like Pogačar and Evenepoel. Today, it’s others who follow you. What was the shift in the offseason to take the initiatives?

I have a little more confidence in my level and I have also progressed. So obviously, I can afford to take matters more into my own hands. And I also didn’t have the level I have today which allows me to run offensively. And it’s more pleasant for me.

You say that asking whether it is possible to beat Pogacar is “a crazy question”. But on Sunday, what will you do?

I don’t exclude any possibility. In a 250 mile race, a lot can happen. I never start with a defeatist idea of ​​telling myself that I am playing second place. I’m going to try to fight and then, well, we’ll see. He is very strong and we will fight until the end. I don’t look down. I can’t afford it. That’s not my mind, nor that of many runners. Afterwards, it is the reality on the ground that will speak. But I can’t wait. He might be the best runner of all time. Fighting against him is still an honor that allows you to see what is missing.

Has a decision already been made regarding your participation in the Tour de France?

We said we were talking about it after Liège. So there you have it, everything is maintained for the moment, nothing has changed.