Patrick Lefevere is back talking about challenges and this time, his attention is on the French phenomenon Paul Seixas and the upcoming appointments starting with the Liège-Bastogne-Liège tomorrow.

The former CEO of Soudal-Quick Step shines the spotlight on the future of world cycling and the most talked-about names of the moment. In his usual Column section, the Belgian executive has no doubts: the young French talent is ready to insert himself into the rivalry between Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel starting right from Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with an eye also turned towards the Tour de France.

«Seixas against Pogacar and Evenepoel is a three-way battle not to be missed. First at Liège, and then three more full weeks at the Tour de France later this summer». With these words Lefevere wanted to outline a scenario that could mark a new era for cycling.

The Fleming recounts having perceived the change directly by speaking with the French press: «I met some French journalists and they updated me on their new phenomenon, Paul Seixas. As long as they couldn't win, in France attention was concentrated on the small French riders and on two-speed cycling, but now this concept suddenly no longer exists». We're talking about an important talent, but we must not forget the age of the young man from Lyon.

«The big question about Seixas is: will he participate in the Tour or not? According to the Tour director, Christian Prudhomme, his participation is certain at 'ninety percent', but it's possible that the desire is stronger than the thought». Naturally the Grande Boucle is not just a race, but also an important media phenomenon, capable of attracting millions of spectators both on the roads and on television.

According to Lefevere, important interests are moving around the young talent, which cannot be overlooked: «There are many parties involved who benefit from a Tour with Seixas. French sponsors like Decathlon and CMA CGM naturally want a French candidate to win. My advice to team manager Dominique Serieys: don't let yourself be influenced by this. As for the question of whether Seixas should participate in the Tour, I ask myself this: can a 19-year-old rider break his engine in the hardest of the three Grand Tours? In the past, the answer was automatically 'yes', but in the case of Seixas, the past is not the point of reference».

What convinces Lefevere most is especially what he showed in stage races like the Tour of the Basque Country, but also in one-day races, where he demonstrated maturity and strong management ability.

«He dominated the Tour of the Basque Country from start to finish, which in my opinion is the hardest stage race after the Giro, the Vuelta and the Tour. Also as a team, Decathlon – CGM CMA seems ready to tackle the Tour with potential for a Grand Tour. The Flèche Wallonne is not the decisive test in this regard, but there they dominated and a team must always be at the level of its leader. A good leader raises the level of everyone».

The real test will be Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where the Frenchman will measure himself against riders like Pogacar and Evenepoel.

«I'm curious to see what Seixas will be able to do on Sunday at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. If you ask me, I don't think he's yet at the level of Tadej Pogacar's pure power. Clashing with him on the Redoute is, with all due respect, quite different from beating Ben Tulett and Mauro Schmid on the Mur de Huy».

For Lefevere, the challenge is already laid out and it's no longer a two-way battle, but a new triad destined to set the season on fire: Pogacar, Evenepoel and now Seixas. A rivalry that could explode already on the roads of Liège and find its definitive consecration in the three weeks of the Tour, provided that "90%" becomes reality.