Ineos Grenadiers also shows interest in Paul Seixas

The bidding war for Paul Seixas is escalating week by week. After it was previously revealed that UAE Emirates XRG has strong interest in signing the Frenchman from 2028 onwards, it now appears that INEOS Grenadiers are also competing for the signature of the 19-year-old French rider, reports Daniel Benson.

Seixas is contracted with Decathlon CMA CGM until the end of 2027, but behind the scenes the fight for the Frenchman's signature is already in full swing. UAE Emirates XRG has not denied the interest, while Decathlon CMA CGM indicated this week they are hopeful to extend the Frenchman’s contract.

“Honestly, I’m confident,” team manager Dominique Serieys told Benson just this week. “If Paul doesn’t want to stay, that’s his decision. So that’s why I’m confident. But if he does believe in our project, then we will continue together.”

INEOS would thus have also come forward for Seixas, but the camp of the Frenchman remains quiet for the time being, says his manager Joona Laukka. Primarily because Seixas is only allowed to open negotiations once he is in the final year of his contract.

“The negotiations have been on hold for a while. We will only proceed again once Paul feels it’s the right time to decide. Everything is going so well at the moment, so why wouldn’t he wait? It’s different for teams, but Paul simply has all the time, and his contract runs until the end of 2027.”