{"id":124345,"date":"2026-07-01T18:39:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T18:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/01\/miguel-indurain-paul-seixas-can-win-the-tour-de-france\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T18:39:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T18:39:08","slug":"miguel-indurain-paul-seixas-can-win-the-tour-de-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/01\/miguel-indurain-paul-seixas-can-win-the-tour-de-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Miguel Indurain: Paul Seixas can win the Tour de France"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The 2026 Tour de France is starting on Saturday, so it\u2019s obvi a great time to get the hottest of takes from everyone about who is going to win.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cteenage sensation\u201d it kinda gives off popstar vibes, but anyway.)<\/p>\n

One of the greatest Spanish cyclists ever thinks Seixas has the talent to one day win cycling\u2019s biggest race, although he cautioned that the pressure surrounding the Decathlon CMA CGM rider could prove just as demanding as the mountains.<\/p>\n

Indurain on Seixas<\/h2>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a little young to fight for a Grand Tour,\u201d Indurain said. \u201cBut that\u2019s how sport is now. Young riders take control much earlier than they used to.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Spaniard said that Seixas is already carrying the hopes of an entire nation. It\u2019s been a while for France. It was back in 1985 that French legend Bernard Hinault won La Grande Boucle<\/em> last. The next year, he finished second to American Greg LeMond. (After Belleville, Ont.\u2019s Alex Stieda<\/a> wore the yellow jersey early on, the first North American to ever do so.)<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has all of France behind him. We\u2019ll have to see how he handles that pressure,\u201d Indurain said<\/a>. \u201cBut he has the legs to fight for a Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2026 Tour de France<\/h2>\n

Indurain also weighed in on this year\u2019s Tour de France favourites, naming Tadej Poga\u010dar as the clear rider to beat as he chases a fifth overall title. I mean, that\u2019s hardly groundbreaking\u2013Pogi is the odds-on favourite, although Visma \u2013 Lease a Bike\u2019s Jonas Vingegaard on full form is certainly going to create a proper ballgame.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoga\u010dar is the favourite,\u201d Indurain said. \u201cMentally, he\u2019s very strong, and so is his team.\u201d
He also mentioned how psychological strength has become one of the biggest differences between the sport\u2019s elite riders.<\/p>\n

How is the Tour different now?<\/h2>\n

\u201cPhysically, everyone is at a similar level these days,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat makes the difference is confidence and who feels most comfortable. You can see that Poga\u010dar enjoys what he does.\u201d
Still, the five-time champion warned that no Tour victory is guaranteed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to get through the Tour,\u201d Indurain said. \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stage 1 of the 2026 Tour de France is a team time trial. It goes down Saturday, and you can bet your bottom peseta<\/em>, Big Mig, Canadian Cycling Magazine<\/em> will be covering every stage.<\/p>\n

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