Imagine Sergio Mattarella intervening to prevent the Under 23 world champion Lorenzo Finn from racing for a foreign team... Actually, don't even try, because in Italy we unfortunately haven't had a World Tour team flying our flag for years. Something that would be pure science fiction in our country has instead happened in France for Paul Seixas.

The 19-year-old Frenchman's season opener has been impressive for both consistency and quality: a stage victory at the Volta ao Algarve, success at the Faun-Ardèche Classic, and a second-place finish at Strade Bianche behind Tadej Pogacar that shone the spotlight of the cycling world and the transfer market on this talent. Confirmation came at the recent Tour of the Basque Country, where he managed to win three stages and earned his first World Tour overall victory.

Under contract with the Decathlon CMA CGM team until the end of 2027, he is in the sights of the major squads. In particular, UAE Team Emirates, which is closely monitoring his development, which by precocity even surpasses the current world champion.

The matter has even caught the attention of Emmanuel Macron. According to reports gathered by Eurosport Spain at the Itzulia Basque Country, the French president has guaranteed his support to the Decathlon team for Paul Seixas's renewal, also making contact with the rider's management, who are demanding a technical project worthy of his talent. The figures remain confidential, but the new contract could place Seixas among the highest-paid riders in the peloton.

A passionate cycling enthusiast and regular presence at the Tour de France, Macron sees in the young talent the possible icon of the future for a country that has dreamed for decades of a new winner of the Grande Boucle.