The 2026 Tour de France is starting on Saturday, so it’s obvi a great time to get the hottest of takes from everyone about who is going to win.
Five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain recently weighed in (when asked) and he had an interesting opinion. The former pro is all in with the 19-year-old sensation Paul Seixas. (When we say “teenage sensation” it kinda gives off popstar vibes, but anyway.)
One of the greatest Spanish cyclists ever thinks Seixas has the talent to one day win cycling’s biggest race, although he cautioned that the pressure surrounding the Decathlon CMA CGM rider could prove just as demanding as the mountains.
Indurain on Seixas
Speaking after being honoured by the Spanish Olympic Committee for the gold medal he won at the 1996 Summer Olympics, Indurain said Seixas has the physical ability to compete for Tour glory despite his age, according to Marca.
“He’s a little young to fight for a Grand Tour,” Indurain said. “But that’s how sport is now. Young riders take control much earlier than they used to.”
The Spaniard said that Seixas is already carrying the hopes of an entire nation. It’s been a while for France. It was back in 1985 that French legend Bernard Hinault won La Grande Boucle last. The next year, he finished second to American Greg LeMond. (After Belleville, Ont.’s Alex Stieda wore the yellow jersey early on, the first North American to ever do so.)
“He has all of France behind him. We’ll have to see how he handles that pressure,” Indurain said. “But he has the legs to fight for a Tour.”
The 2026 Tour de France
Indurain also weighed in on this year’s Tour de France favourites, naming Tadej Pogačar as the clear rider to beat as he chases a fifth overall title. I mean, that’s hardly groundbreaking–Pogi is the odds-on favourite, although Visma – Lease a Bike’s Jonas Vingegaard on full form is certainly going to create a proper ballgame.
“Pogačar is the favourite,” Indurain said. “Mentally, he’s very strong, and so is his team.”
He also mentioned how psychological strength has become one of the biggest differences between the sport’s elite riders.
How is the Tour different now?
“Physically, everyone is at a similar level these days,” he said. “What makes the difference is confidence and who feels most comfortable. You can see that Pogačar enjoys what he does.”
Still, the five-time champion warned that no Tour victory is guaranteed.
“You have to get through the Tour,” Indurain said. “There are always traps, crashes and difficult situations. The others will be waiting for any chance to attack him. But when things get difficult, he usually handles them very well.”
Stage 1 of the 2026 Tour de France is a team time trial. It goes down Saturday, and you can bet your bottom peseta, Big Mig, Canadian Cycling Magazine will be covering every stage.