{"id":2025704,"date":"2026-07-03T15:51:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:51:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2025704"},"modified":"2026-07-03T15:51:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:51:30","slug":"is-the-tour-de-france-peloton-getting-younger-investigating-the-history-of-teenage-riders-at-the-grand-tour-as-paul-seixas-makes-his-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2025704","title":{"rendered":"Is the Tour de France peloton getting younger? Investigating the history of teenage riders at the Grand Tour as Paul Seixas makes his debut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xYehNdGJyBUwNetTFTfRVL-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXSDPnw6gVtg5BEAzPMwaa-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tadej Poga\u010dar names teammate Isaac del Toro as a possible Tour de France winner\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Is the Tour de France peloton getting younger? Investigating the history of teenage riders at the Grand Tour as Paul Seixas makes his debut<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-03T15:51:30Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">As Paul Seixas aims to become the youngest winner since Henri Cornet in 1904, we take a look at the youngest riders who have raced and won the Tour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Paul Seixas is bidding to become the youngest Tour de France winner in history, 122 years after Henri Cornet<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-16ded50f-3e8e-4dc1-9f5e-3c21495cb184\">French phenom Paul Seixas is this month set to become the youngest Tour de France rider in 89 years, and, should he excel in his first-ever Grand Tour and somehow beat the likes of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard, he would also become the youngest Tour winner in history.<\/p>\n<p>Home expectations of the Decathlon CMA CGM rider likely don&#8217;t extend that far, even if French media is reaching a frenzied state over the teenager, but still, much is expected of Seixas.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-16ded50f-3e8e-4dc1-9f5e-3c21495cb184-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In heading down the start ramp of the stage 1 team time trial in Barcelona on Saturday, Seixas will become the youngest rider to start the Tour since Adrien Cento in 1937, aged 19 and 238 on Saturday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He will join just six other teenagers \u2013 Cento, Henri Cornet, Jean-Baptiste Dortignacq, Adolphe H\u00e9li\u00e8re, Fabio Battestini, Georg Umbenhauer, and Danny van Poppel \u2013 in starting the race. He will also become the 40th rider aged 20 or younger to start in the same timeframe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The record of the youngest rider to win the Tour still lies with Cornet, who won the 1904 Tour a month shy of his 20th birthday, after the top four finishers were all disqualified following the race.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I have something to tell you\u2026&#8217; Paul Seixas confirms he will ride the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s got the legs to go for a Tour de France&#8217; &#8211; Five-time champion Miguel Indurain backs Paul Seixas as future race winner<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I will not take risks for something other than the GC&#8217; \u2013 Paul Seixas all-in for the big goal against Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard at Tour de France debut<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar has come closest to taking the Frenchman&#8217;s record, though he was still two years older than Cornet when he won his first Tour in 2020 at the age of 21 years and 365 days old (2020 was a leap year).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another Frenchman, Fran\u00e7ois Faber (aged 22 years, 187 days), lies third on that list, while Egan Bernal&#8217;s 2019 victory landed him in fourth at nine days older than Faber.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b25c4f8b-504e-4995-8ee2-655a19896ad8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Egan Bernal stands as the fourth-youngest Tour de France winner in history <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a24fc2c3-a1ed-4fe9-87f2-58c5f86fa503\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">These youngest riders seem to have raced the Tour a century or more ago or very recently, then. But is it true that the Tour is harking back to the early days and the peloton is getting younger?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Certainly some of the major stars of the sport are younger than they have been in recent decades. They are still outliers, but there are more than there were in the 1990s, for example.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, Seixas is joined on the startlist by 22-year-old time trial starlet Josh Tarling, a 22-year-old GC contender in Isaac del Toro, and two more 23-year-old GC men in Cian Uijtdebroeks and Juan Ayuso.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej who? Paul Seixas mania is gripping the home nation ahead of the Tour de France, and the 19-year-old is fully embracing it<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;If Paul Seixas isn&#8217;t ready for the Tour de France, then who is?\u2019 \u2013 Oliver Naesen backs\u00a019-year-old teammate for debut this summer<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">What I hope to witness at this year&#8217;s Tour de France \u2013 The birth of Paul Seixas, the wrath of Remco and great racing every day<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The quartet are among 15 riders who will start the Tour aged 23 or younger, while last year that number was 18 and in 2024 it was 15. Twenty years ago, Philippe Gilbert and Riccardo Ricc\u00f2 were among five riders aged 23 or younger (2005 had eight, and 2007 had 12), while look back to the first three years of the 1990s and the numbers were 15, six, and 14, with Laurent Jalabert and Alex Z\u00fclle among the notable youngsters.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There may be some small trend in the race getting younger, then, but it doesn&#8217;t seem to be statistically significant, if at all so. In 1980, for example, 21 riders at the Tour&#8217;s Grand D\u00e9part in Frankfurt were aged 23 or younger.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Notably, however, between Miguel Indurain in 1985 and Fabio Felline in 2010, there were no riders on the Tour start list aged 20 or younger. Since then, Van Poppel, Lenny Martinez, and Johannes Kulset have all joined that list of youngsters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-table-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6-3l2ICqkFDmanNHej7EecokhGLLo5Gkee\" class=\"slice-container table-wrapper table-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6-3l2ICqkFDmanNHej7EecokhGLLo5Gkee slice-container-table\">\n<div class=\"table__instruction\">Swipe to scroll horizontally<\/div>\n<div class=\"table__container\">\n<table class=\"table__wrapper table__wrapper--inbodyContent table__wrapper--sticky table__wrapper--divider\">\n<caption class=\"table__caption table__caption--top table__caption--left\">Average ages of the Tour de France peloton<\/caption>\n<thead class=\"table__head\">\n<tr class=\"table__head__row\">\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Year<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Average age (years, days)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"table__body\">\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1930<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>28y 22d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1935<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>25y 345d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1939<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>25y 286d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1950<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 332d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1955<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 184d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1960<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 139d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1965<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 60d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1970<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 54d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1975<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 125d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1980<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 347d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1985<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 273d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1990<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 308d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1995<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>28y 155d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 3d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2005<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 117d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2010<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 106d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2015<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 239d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2020<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 279d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 16d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-8e6dcaf6-c99a-4f05-876a-995a26c7d137\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If anything, the Tour peloton as a whole has been getting older as the decades pass. According to <em>Procyclingstats<\/em>, the average age of this year&#8217;s peloton will be 29 years and 16 days in Barcelona, creeping up from 2025&#8217;s average age of 28 years and 243 days, the youngest average since 1999.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the intervening years, the average age has remained steady at 29 years old, with the 30 years and 56 days of 2012 being the oldest average age of a Tour peloton in recorded history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As you can see in our table of peloton average ages at the race, the average remained stable between 26 and 27 from 1950 up until the start of the 1990s. Since then, it has risen alongside advances in sports science, training, and nutrition, and now sits closer to 30 years old.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ec6e2449-d037-496c-a5d4-d122e2aca559\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At the other end of the age standings, 2011 champion Cadel Evans stands as the third-oldest winner in Tour history <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f2f17dac-a247-4992-be3f-324da16eae44\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year&#8217;s Tour peloton will see 18 riders over the age of 35 competing, including Michael Matthews, Ion Izagirre, Tim Wellens, and the oldest, the 38-year-old Damiano Caruso.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the previous two Tours, 15 and eight riders over 35 took the start. Back in 1990, only Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle was 35+, while in 1991 and 1992 there were just four and two riders of that age racing, including Duclos-Lassalle and Sean Kelly on both occasions.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Unlike the leaderboard for the youngest Tour winner, that of the oldest is unlikely to be troubled anytime soon. It seems as though riders are currently both breaking through at a younger age and lasting longer, though the bigger contenders are the younger riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At present, 1922 Firmine Lambot is the oldest winner in Tour history at the age of 36 years and 131 days old, the Belgian standing as the only man aged 35+ to win the race. Unless Damiano Caruso can pull off a shocker, that record should be safe this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Three more riders, including Cadel Evans in 2011, have won the race at the age of 34, and the pair are among 25 men who have won the race above the age of 30, including Fausto Coppi, Chris Froome, Miguel Indurain, and Carlos Sastre.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A similar number \u2013 23 \u2013 have won the race aged 25 or under, with Poga\u010dar (three times), Eddy Merckx (twice), and Greg LeMond all on that list. Interestingly, Bernard Hinault, Philippe Thys, Gino Bartali and Jacques Anquetil are the only men to feature on both lists, winning at under 25 and over 30, highlighting their lasting quality.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So, Seixas could become a record-breaker this summer, but is his participation the sign of a greater trend in the Tour de France peloton? It doesn&#8217;t appear to be the case.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"teenagers-at-the-tour-de-france-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Teenagers at the Tour de France<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-94b393ed-6463-4be0-b0db-1e555cf6c1bf\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Back in 2013, Danny van Poppel was the most recent teenager to start the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-781bf877-059a-436b-ab16-a22e256611d9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1904, Henri Cornet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Making his debut at the race, Cornet finished the six-stage, 2,428km race (yes, the average stage length was over 400km), just under three hours down on reigning champion Maurice Garin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, a later investigation by the French Cycling Federation concluded with the disqualification of all top four finishers, elevating Cornet to glory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The reasons for the disqualification were never made public, though numerous other riders were previously disqualified for taking lifts in cars or resting in them. Cornet wouldn&#8217;t hit these heights again, though he did win Paris-Roubaix in 1906.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1910, Adolphe H\u00e9li\u00e8re<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frankly, little is known about H\u00e9li\u00e8re. The 19-year-old raced his one and only Tour de France in 1910, making it through six of the 15 stages before tragedy struck.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On a rest day in Nice, H\u00e9li\u00e8re was bathing in the sea when he was reportedly stung by a jellyfish and died, though it&#8217;s possible that he died of exhaustion while swimming.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1931, Fabio Battestini<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Italian racer Battestini made his Tour debut at the 1931 race, aged 19 like the others on this list. He competed on the Maino-Cl\u00e9ment team of Giro d&#8217;Italia champions Constante Girardengo and Learco Guerra.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It would be the only one of two Tours he&#8217;d finish during his career, reaching Paris in 30th with a stage win in Brest to his name.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two years later, he was disqualified from the race after eight days. He found more success on home ground in Italy, winning three Giro stages during a nine-year career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1937, Adrien Cento<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cento was 19 years and 118 days old when he took the start of the race in Paris in 1937.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That race was his only career Tour appearance, and he completed the first four stages before withdrawing, with his best placing being 78th from 91 finishers on stage 2.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>2013, Danny van Poppel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe lead-out man Danny van Poppel is still going strong 13 years after his Tour debut, even if he won&#8217;t be racing in France this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At the age of 19 years and 338 days old, he made his bow for Vacansoleil at the 2013 Tour. He&#8217;d deliver his best Tour stage result to date on the very first day of that race, sprinting to third in Bastia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That was the first of seven Tour de France appearances to date for Van Poppel, though he&#8217;s racked up 25 wins elsewhere, including a stage of the 2015 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>2026, Paul Seixas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Well, we know all about Seixas by now. The Frenchman is in his second year as a pro and might already be among the top handful of stage racers in the peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those who watched him demolish the field at Itzulia Basque Country and La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne will eagerly anticipate his exploits this July.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b5fe16f8-663b-46fa-9802-70c52dce2016\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I have something to tell you\u2026&#8217; Paul Seixas confirms he will ride the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s got the legs to go for a Tour de France&#8217; &#8211; Five-time champion Miguel Indurain backs Paul Seixas as future race winner<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I will not take risks for something other than the GC&#8217; \u2013 Paul Seixas all-in for the big goal against Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard at Tour de France debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej who? Paul Seixas mania is gripping the home nation ahead of the Tour de France, and the 19-year-old is fully embracing it<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If Paul Seixas isn&#8217;t ready for the Tour de France, then who is?\u2019 \u2013 Oliver Naesen backs\u00a019-year-old teammate for debut this summer<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What I hope to witness at this year&#8217;s Tour de France \u2013 The birth of Paul Seixas, the wrath of Remco and great racing every day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ben Healy is &#8216;the best breakaway rider in the world&#8217; says EF boss Vaughters, but can he repeat Tour de France success after season of setbacks?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will secure the first yellow jersey of the Tour de France? Stage 1 team time trial start times<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel confirms major weight loss for the Tour de France under his new coach&#8217;s guidance<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Trust is not handed out, trust is earned&#8217; &#8211; Andy Schleck takes charge as Lidl-Trek targets the Tour de France podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think he&#8217;s going to wait and see&#8217; \u2013 Juan Ayuso expects fireworks from teenage debutant Paul Seixas at Tour de France as he takes aim at podium finish with Lidl-Trek<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who gets which race bib number in the Tour de France, and why?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Our Tour de France predictions \u2013 The Cyclingnews team&#8217;s best guesses for how the race will play out<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Aero bottom bracket, titanium bolts, and a \u20ac460 saddle: No stone left unturned for Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France bike<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: Battle of the TT bikes &#8211; Very different tyre strategies, massive chainrings, and old bike computers<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">New national champion jerseys, switch-out kits on display in Barcelona&#8217;s splashy Tour de France team presentation<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quiz! Can you name every Tour de France foreign start?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Ben Healy is &#8216;the best breakaway rider in the world&#8217; says EF boss Vaughters, but can he repeat Tour de France success after season of setbacks?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Another cancellation for Maryland Cycling Classic leaves hole on UCI calendar in North America ahead of Road World Championships in Montreal<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The best recovery can be to stay on the sofa and do nothing&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s deceptively simple recovery strategy for the Tour de France<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Who will secure the first yellow jersey of the Tour de France? Stage 1 team time trial start times<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Enjoy an all-access pass to the Tour de France with Cyclingnews<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Is the Tour de France peloton getting younger? Investigating the history of teenage riders at the Grand Tour as Paul Seixas makes his debut<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-03T15:51:30Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">As Paul Seixas aims to become the youngest winner since Henri Cornet in 1904, we take a look at the youngest riders who have raced and won the Tour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Paul Seixas is bidding to become the youngest Tour de France winner in history, 122 years after Henri Cornet<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs 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text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-16ded50f-3e8e-4dc1-9f5e-3c21495cb184\">French phenom Paul Seixas is this month set to become the youngest Tour de France rider in 89 years, and, should he excel in his first-ever Grand Tour and somehow beat the likes of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard, he would also become the youngest Tour winner in history.<\/p>\n<p>Home expectations of the Decathlon CMA CGM rider likely don&#8217;t extend that far, even if French media is reaching a frenzied state over the teenager, but still, much is expected of Seixas.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-16ded50f-3e8e-4dc1-9f5e-3c21495cb184-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In heading down the start ramp of the stage 1 team time trial in Barcelona on Saturday, Seixas will become the youngest rider to start the Tour since Adrien Cento in 1937, aged 19 and 238 on Saturday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He will join just six other teenagers \u2013 Cento, Henri Cornet, Jean-Baptiste Dortignacq, Adolphe H\u00e9li\u00e8re, Fabio Battestini, Georg Umbenhauer, and Danny van Poppel \u2013 in starting the race. He will also become the 40th rider aged 20 or younger to start in the same timeframe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The record of the youngest rider to win the Tour still lies with Cornet, who won the 1904 Tour a month shy of his 20th birthday, after the top four finishers were all disqualified following the race.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I have something to tell you\u2026&#8217; Paul Seixas confirms he will ride the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s got the legs to go for a Tour de France&#8217; &#8211; Five-time champion Miguel Indurain backs Paul Seixas as future race winner<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I will not take risks for something other than the GC&#8217; \u2013 Paul Seixas all-in for the big goal against Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard at Tour de France debut<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar has come closest to taking the Frenchman&#8217;s record, though he was still two years older than Cornet when he won his first Tour in 2020 at the age of 21 years and 365 days old (2020 was a leap year).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another Frenchman, Fran\u00e7ois Faber (aged 22 years, 187 days), lies third on that list, while Egan Bernal&#8217;s 2019 victory landed him in fourth at nine days older than Faber.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b25c4f8b-504e-4995-8ee2-655a19896ad8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Egan Bernal stands as the fourth-youngest Tour de France winner in history <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a24fc2c3-a1ed-4fe9-87f2-58c5f86fa503\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">These youngest riders seem to have raced the Tour a century or more ago or very recently, then. But is it true that the Tour is harking back to the early days and the peloton is getting younger?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Certainly some of the major stars of the sport are younger than they have been in recent decades. They are still outliers, but there are more than there were in the 1990s, for example.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, Seixas is joined on the startlist by 22-year-old time trial starlet Josh Tarling, a 22-year-old GC contender in Isaac del Toro, and two more 23-year-old GC men in Cian Uijtdebroeks and Juan Ayuso.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej who? Paul Seixas mania is gripping the home nation ahead of the Tour de France, and the 19-year-old is fully embracing it<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;If Paul Seixas isn&#8217;t ready for the Tour de France, then who is?\u2019 \u2013 Oliver Naesen backs\u00a019-year-old teammate for debut this summer<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">What I hope to witness at this year&#8217;s Tour de France \u2013 The birth of Paul Seixas, the wrath of Remco and great racing every day<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The quartet are among 15 riders who will start the Tour aged 23 or younger, while last year that number was 18 and in 2024 it was 15. Twenty years ago, Philippe Gilbert and Riccardo Ricc\u00f2 were among five riders aged 23 or younger (2005 had eight, and 2007 had 12), while look back to the first three years of the 1990s and the numbers were 15, six, and 14, with Laurent Jalabert and Alex Z\u00fclle among the notable youngsters.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There may be some small trend in the race getting younger, then, but it doesn&#8217;t seem to be statistically significant, if at all so. In 1980, for example, 21 riders at the Tour&#8217;s Grand D\u00e9part in Frankfurt were aged 23 or younger.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Notably, however, between Miguel Indurain in 1985 and Fabio Felline in 2010, there were no riders on the Tour start list aged 20 or younger. Since then, Van Poppel, Lenny Martinez, and Johannes Kulset have all joined that list of youngsters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-table-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6-3l2ICqkFDmanNHej7EecokhGLLo5Gkee\" class=\"slice-container table-wrapper table-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6-3l2ICqkFDmanNHej7EecokhGLLo5Gkee slice-container-table\">\n<div class=\"table__instruction\">Swipe to scroll horizontally<\/div>\n<div class=\"table__container\">\n<table class=\"table__wrapper table__wrapper--inbodyContent table__wrapper--sticky table__wrapper--divider\">\n<caption class=\"table__caption table__caption--top table__caption--left\">Average ages of the Tour de France peloton<\/caption>\n<thead class=\"table__head\">\n<tr class=\"table__head__row\">\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Year<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Average age (years, days)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"table__body\">\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1930<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>28y 22d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1935<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>25y 345d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1939<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>25y 286d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1950<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 332d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1955<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 184d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1960<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 139d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1965<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 60d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1970<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 54d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1975<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 125d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1980<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 347d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1985<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 273d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1990<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 308d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1995<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>28y 155d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 3d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2005<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 117d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2010<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 106d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2015<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 239d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2020<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 279d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 16d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-8e6dcaf6-c99a-4f05-876a-995a26c7d137\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If anything, the Tour peloton as a whole has been getting older as the decades pass. According to <em>Procyclingstats<\/em>, the average age of this year&#8217;s peloton will be 29 years and 16 days in Barcelona, creeping up from 2025&#8217;s average age of 28 years and 243 days, the youngest average since 1999.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the intervening years, the average age has remained steady at 29 years old, with the 30 years and 56 days of 2012 being the oldest average age of a Tour peloton in recorded history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As you can see in our table of peloton average ages at the race, the average remained stable between 26 and 27 from 1950 up until the start of the 1990s. Since then, it has risen alongside advances in sports science, training, and nutrition, and now sits closer to 30 years old.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ec6e2449-d037-496c-a5d4-d122e2aca559\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At the other end of the age standings, 2011 champion Cadel Evans stands as the third-oldest winner in Tour history <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f2f17dac-a247-4992-be3f-324da16eae44\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year&#8217;s Tour peloton will see 18 riders over the age of 35 competing, including Michael Matthews, Ion Izagirre, Tim Wellens, and the oldest, the 38-year-old Damiano Caruso.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the previous two Tours, 15 and eight riders over 35 took the start. Back in 1990, only Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle was 35+, while in 1991 and 1992 there were just four and two riders of that age racing, including Duclos-Lassalle and Sean Kelly on both occasions.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Unlike the leaderboard for the youngest Tour winner, that of the oldest is unlikely to be troubled anytime soon. It seems as though riders are currently both breaking through at a younger age and lasting longer, though the bigger contenders are the younger riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At present, 1922 Firmine Lambot is the oldest winner in Tour history at the age of 36 years and 131 days old, the Belgian standing as the only man aged 35+ to win the race. Unless Damiano Caruso can pull off a shocker, that record should be safe this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Three more riders, including Cadel Evans in 2011, have won the race at the age of 34, and the pair are among 25 men who have won the race above the age of 30, including Fausto Coppi, Chris Froome, Miguel Indurain, and Carlos Sastre.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A similar number \u2013 23 \u2013 have won the race aged 25 or under, with Poga\u010dar (three times), Eddy Merckx (twice), and Greg LeMond all on that list. Interestingly, Bernard Hinault, Philippe Thys, Gino Bartali and Jacques Anquetil are the only men to feature on both lists, winning at under 25 and over 30, highlighting their lasting quality.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So, Seixas could become a record-breaker this summer, but is his participation the sign of a greater trend in the Tour de France peloton? It doesn&#8217;t appear to be the case.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"teenagers-at-the-tour-de-france-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Teenagers at the Tour de France<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-94b393ed-6463-4be0-b0db-1e555cf6c1bf\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Back in 2013, Danny van Poppel was the most recent teenager to start the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-781bf877-059a-436b-ab16-a22e256611d9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1904, Henri Cornet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Making his debut at the race, Cornet finished the six-stage, 2,428km race (yes, the average stage length was over 400km), just under three hours down on reigning champion Maurice Garin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, a later investigation by the French Cycling Federation concluded with the disqualification of all top four finishers, elevating Cornet to glory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The reasons for the disqualification were never made public, though numerous other riders were previously disqualified for taking lifts in cars or resting in them. Cornet wouldn&#8217;t hit these heights again, though he did win Paris-Roubaix in 1906.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1910, Adolphe H\u00e9li\u00e8re<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frankly, little is known about H\u00e9li\u00e8re. The 19-year-old raced his one and only Tour de France in 1910, making it through six of the 15 stages before tragedy struck.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On a rest day in Nice, H\u00e9li\u00e8re was bathing in the sea when he was reportedly stung by a jellyfish and died, though it&#8217;s possible that he died of exhaustion while swimming.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1931, Fabio Battestini<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Italian racer Battestini made his Tour debut at the 1931 race, aged 19 like the others on this list. He competed on the Maino-Cl\u00e9ment team of Giro d&#8217;Italia champions Constante Girardengo and Learco Guerra.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It would be the only one of two Tours he&#8217;d finish during his career, reaching Paris in 30th with a stage win in Brest to his name.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two years later, he was disqualified from the race after eight days. He found more success on home ground in Italy, winning three Giro stages during a nine-year career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1937, Adrien Cento<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cento was 19 years and 118 days old when he took the start of the race in Paris in 1937.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That race was his only career Tour appearance, and he completed the first four stages before withdrawing, with his best placing being 78th from 91 finishers on stage 2.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>2013, Danny van Poppel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe lead-out man Danny van Poppel is still going strong 13 years after his Tour debut, even if he won&#8217;t be racing in France this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At the age of 19 years and 338 days old, he made his bow for Vacansoleil at the 2013 Tour. He&#8217;d deliver his best Tour stage result to date on the very first day of that race, sprinting to third in Bastia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That was the first of seven Tour de France appearances to date for Van Poppel, though he&#8217;s racked up 25 wins elsewhere, including a stage of the 2015 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>2026, Paul Seixas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Well, we know all about Seixas by now. The Frenchman is in his second year as a pro and might already be among the top handful of stage racers in the peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those who watched him demolish the field at Itzulia Basque Country and La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne will eagerly anticipate his exploits this July.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b5fe16f8-663b-46fa-9802-70c52dce2016\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I have something to tell you\u2026&#8217; Paul Seixas confirms he will ride the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s got the legs to go for a Tour de France&#8217; &#8211; Five-time champion Miguel Indurain backs Paul Seixas as future race winner<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I will not take risks for something other than the GC&#8217; \u2013 Paul Seixas all-in for the big goal against Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard at Tour de France debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej who? Paul Seixas mania is gripping the home nation ahead of the Tour de France, and the 19-year-old is fully embracing it<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If Paul Seixas isn&#8217;t ready for the Tour de France, then who is?\u2019 \u2013 Oliver Naesen backs\u00a019-year-old teammate for debut this summer<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What I hope to witness at this year&#8217;s Tour de France \u2013 The birth of Paul Seixas, the wrath of Remco and great racing every day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ben Healy is &#8216;the best breakaway rider in the world&#8217; says EF boss Vaughters, but can he repeat Tour de France success after season of setbacks?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yiLng7foYBcQMgyUhYhk7e-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will secure the first yellow jersey of the Tour de France? Stage 1 team time trial start times<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X2WYD9qgSkYW2tCTH8LL5F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel confirms major weight loss for the Tour de France under his new coach&#8217;s guidance<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FDiDcpAF5uxRX7aTXgm7i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Trust is not handed out, trust is earned&#8217; &#8211; Andy Schleck takes charge as Lidl-Trek targets the Tour de France podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8at9rBhBqakWkZQDTrSr4d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think he&#8217;s going to wait and see&#8217; \u2013 Juan Ayuso expects fireworks from teenage debutant Paul Seixas at Tour de France as he takes aim at podium finish with Lidl-Trek<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SYkRsxvTmGUYLwGh4VX3nT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who gets which race bib number in the Tour de France, and why?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fGxG8D3Lun5N52qPyTv3iF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Our Tour de France predictions \u2013 The Cyclingnews team&#8217;s best guesses for how the race will play out<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QWqHFK4CkcGLmKzBqf8Zs6-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Aero bottom bracket, titanium bolts, and a \u20ac460 saddle: No stone left unturned for Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France bike<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vut9BgdyEgtLTgaaBsL38i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: Battle of the TT bikes &#8211; Very different tyre strategies, massive chainrings, and old bike computers<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qCYPANHHB5mQBitVjVuWiG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">New national champion jerseys, switch-out kits on display in Barcelona&#8217;s splashy Tour de France team presentation<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gmK6UAAnbPJ6yhkQJ9AwoK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quiz! Can you name every Tour de France foreign start?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/C7frz9cXo2RZGx9knDdv3B.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Ben Healy is &#8216;the best breakaway rider in the world&#8217; says EF boss Vaughters, but can he repeat Tour de France success after season of setbacks?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Another cancellation for Maryland Cycling Classic leaves hole on UCI calendar in North America ahead of Road World Championships in Montreal<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The best recovery can be to stay on the sofa and do nothing&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s deceptively simple recovery strategy for the Tour de France<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Who will secure the first yellow jersey of the Tour de France? Stage 1 team time trial start times<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Enjoy an all-access pass to the Tour de France with Cyclingnews<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Is the Tour de France peloton getting younger? Investigating the history of teenage riders at the Grand Tour as Paul Seixas makes his debut<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-03T15:51:30Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">As Paul Seixas aims to become the youngest winner since Henri Cornet in 1904, we take a look at the youngest riders who have raced and won the Tour<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-16ded50f-3e8e-4dc1-9f5e-3c21495cb184\">French phenom Paul Seixas is this month set to become the youngest Tour de France rider in 89 years, and, should he excel in his first-ever Grand Tour and somehow beat the likes of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard, he would also become the youngest Tour winner in history.<\/p>\n<p>Home expectations of the Decathlon CMA CGM rider likely don&#8217;t extend that far, even if French media is reaching a frenzied state over the teenager, but still, much is expected of Seixas.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-16ded50f-3e8e-4dc1-9f5e-3c21495cb184-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In heading down the start ramp of the stage 1 team time trial in Barcelona on Saturday, Seixas will become the youngest rider to start the Tour since Adrien Cento in 1937, aged 19 and 238 on Saturday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He will join just six other teenagers \u2013 Cento, Henri Cornet, Jean-Baptiste Dortignacq, Adolphe H\u00e9li\u00e8re, Fabio Battestini, Georg Umbenhauer, and Danny van Poppel \u2013 in starting the race. He will also become the 40th rider aged 20 or younger to start in the same timeframe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The record of the youngest rider to win the Tour still lies with Cornet, who won the 1904 Tour a month shy of his 20th birthday, after the top four finishers were all disqualified following the race.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rf5innLa8KyMfXzz8VGFSk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I have something to tell you\u2026&#8217; Paul Seixas confirms he will ride the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qtzsphhQ7VqSpWCqs6j4ob-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s got the legs to go for a Tour de France&#8217; &#8211; Five-time champion Miguel Indurain backs Paul Seixas as future race winner<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JB6BwRHd9cxUxPy8S6u4wW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I will not take risks for something other than the GC&#8217; \u2013 Paul Seixas all-in for the big goal against Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard at Tour de France debut<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar has come closest to taking the Frenchman&#8217;s record, though he was still two years older than Cornet when he won his first Tour in 2020 at the age of 21 years and 365 days old (2020 was a leap year).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another Frenchman, Fran\u00e7ois Faber (aged 22 years, 187 days), lies third on that list, while Egan Bernal&#8217;s 2019 victory landed him in fourth at nine days older than Faber.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b25c4f8b-504e-4995-8ee2-655a19896ad8\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Lo8rn4tfYaxPn4kAmY2Lq4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Egan Bernal stands as the fourth-youngest Tour de France winner in history <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a24fc2c3-a1ed-4fe9-87f2-58c5f86fa503\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">These youngest riders seem to have raced the Tour a century or more ago or very recently, then. But is it true that the Tour is harking back to the early days and the peloton is getting younger?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Certainly some of the major stars of the sport are younger than they have been in recent decades. They are still outliers, but there are more than there were in the 1990s, for example.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year, Seixas is joined on the startlist by 22-year-old time trial starlet Josh Tarling, a 22-year-old GC contender in Isaac del Toro, and two more 23-year-old GC men in Cian Uijtdebroeks and Juan Ayuso.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ye9EETeBWqGfGuYcyVdECg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej who? Paul Seixas mania is gripping the home nation ahead of the Tour de France, and the 19-year-old is fully embracing it<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ujTYCPp8CaKwzLCjbpaVr9-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;If Paul Seixas isn&#8217;t ready for the Tour de France, then who is?\u2019 \u2013 Oliver Naesen backs\u00a019-year-old teammate for debut this summer<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mZSK2J6G442b7A6mM6KUWe-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">What I hope to witness at this year&#8217;s Tour de France \u2013 The birth of Paul Seixas, the wrath of Remco and great racing every day<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The quartet are among 15 riders who will start the Tour aged 23 or younger, while last year that number was 18 and in 2024 it was 15. Twenty years ago, Philippe Gilbert and Riccardo Ricc\u00f2 were among five riders aged 23 or younger (2005 had eight, and 2007 had 12), while look back to the first three years of the 1990s and the numbers were 15, six, and 14, with Laurent Jalabert and Alex Z\u00fclle among the notable youngsters.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There may be some small trend in the race getting younger, then, but it doesn&#8217;t seem to be statistically significant, if at all so. In 1980, for example, 21 riders at the Tour&#8217;s Grand D\u00e9part in Frankfurt were aged 23 or younger.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Notably, however, between Miguel Indurain in 1985 and Fabio Felline in 2010, there were no riders on the Tour start list aged 20 or younger. Since then, Van Poppel, Lenny Martinez, and Johannes Kulset have all joined that list of youngsters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-table-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6-3l2ICqkFDmanNHej7EecokhGLLo5Gkee\" class=\"slice-container table-wrapper table-GxffigUJbHaorJ8TwKEbe6-3l2ICqkFDmanNHej7EecokhGLLo5Gkee slice-container-table\">\n<div class=\"table__instruction\">Swipe to scroll horizontally<\/div>\n<div class=\"table__container\">\n<table class=\"table__wrapper table__wrapper--inbodyContent table__wrapper--sticky table__wrapper--divider\">\n<caption class=\"table__caption table__caption--top table__caption--left\">Average ages of the Tour de France peloton<\/caption>\n<thead class=\"table__head\">\n<tr class=\"table__head__row\">\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Year<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th class=\"table__head__heading table__head__heading--left\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>Average age (years, days)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"table__body\">\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1930<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>28y 22d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1935<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>25y 345d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1939<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>25y 286d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1950<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 332d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1955<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 184d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1960<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 139d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1965<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 60d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1970<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 54d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1975<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 125d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1980<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 347d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1985<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>26y 273d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1990<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>27y 308d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>1995<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>28y 155d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 3d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2005<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 117d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2010<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 106d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2015<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 239d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2020<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 279d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"table__body__row\">\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"table_body__data\" colspan=\"1\">\n<p>29y 16d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-8e6dcaf6-c99a-4f05-876a-995a26c7d137\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If anything, the Tour peloton as a whole has been getting older as the decades pass. According to <em>Procyclingstats<\/em>, the average age of this year&#8217;s peloton will be 29 years and 16 days in Barcelona, creeping up from 2025&#8217;s average age of 28 years and 243 days, the youngest average since 1999.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the intervening years, the average age has remained steady at 29 years old, with the 30 years and 56 days of 2012 being the oldest average age of a Tour peloton in recorded history.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As you can see in our table of peloton average ages at the race, the average remained stable between 26 and 27 from 1950 up until the start of the 1990s. Since then, it has risen alongside advances in sports science, training, and nutrition, and now sits closer to 30 years old.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ec6e2449-d037-496c-a5d4-d122e2aca559\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K6VURPRqVYca6zVZZmqjX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At the other end of the age standings, 2011 champion Cadel Evans stands as the third-oldest winner in Tour history <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f2f17dac-a247-4992-be3f-324da16eae44\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This year&#8217;s Tour peloton will see 18 riders over the age of 35 competing, including Michael Matthews, Ion Izagirre, Tim Wellens, and the oldest, the 38-year-old Damiano Caruso.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the previous two Tours, 15 and eight riders over 35 took the start. Back in 1990, only Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle was 35+, while in 1991 and 1992 there were just four and two riders of that age racing, including Duclos-Lassalle and Sean Kelly on both occasions.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Unlike the leaderboard for the youngest Tour winner, that of the oldest is unlikely to be troubled anytime soon. It seems as though riders are currently both breaking through at a younger age and lasting longer, though the bigger contenders are the younger riders.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At present, 1922 Firmine Lambot is the oldest winner in Tour history at the age of 36 years and 131 days old, the Belgian standing as the only man aged 35+ to win the race. Unless Damiano Caruso can pull off a shocker, that record should be safe this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Three more riders, including Cadel Evans in 2011, have won the race at the age of 34, and the pair are among 25 men who have won the race above the age of 30, including Fausto Coppi, Chris Froome, Miguel Indurain, and Carlos Sastre.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A similar number \u2013 23 \u2013 have won the race aged 25 or under, with Poga\u010dar (three times), Eddy Merckx (twice), and Greg LeMond all on that list. Interestingly, Bernard Hinault, Philippe Thys, Gino Bartali and Jacques Anquetil are the only men to feature on both lists, winning at under 25 and over 30, highlighting their lasting quality.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So, Seixas could become a record-breaker this summer, but is his participation the sign of a greater trend in the Tour de France peloton? It doesn&#8217;t appear to be the case.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"teenagers-at-the-tour-de-france-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Teenagers at the Tour de France<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-94b393ed-6463-4be0-b0db-1e555cf6c1bf\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9DwSxteJ4kQpB3dAqP4AwW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Back in 2013, Danny van Poppel was the most recent teenager to start the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-781bf877-059a-436b-ab16-a22e256611d9\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1904, Henri Cornet<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Making his debut at the race, Cornet finished the six-stage, 2,428km race (yes, the average stage length was over 400km), just under three hours down on reigning champion Maurice Garin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, a later investigation by the French Cycling Federation concluded with the disqualification of all top four finishers, elevating Cornet to glory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The reasons for the disqualification were never made public, though numerous other riders were previously disqualified for taking lifts in cars or resting in them. Cornet wouldn&#8217;t hit these heights again, though he did win Paris-Roubaix in 1906.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1910, Adolphe H\u00e9li\u00e8re<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frankly, little is known about H\u00e9li\u00e8re. The 19-year-old raced his one and only Tour de France in 1910, making it through six of the 15 stages before tragedy struck.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">On a rest day in Nice, H\u00e9li\u00e8re was bathing in the sea when he was reportedly stung by a jellyfish and died, though it&#8217;s possible that he died of exhaustion while swimming.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1931, Fabio Battestini<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Italian racer Battestini made his Tour debut at the 1931 race, aged 19 like the others on this list. He competed on the Maino-Cl\u00e9ment team of Giro d&#8217;Italia champions Constante Girardengo and Learco Guerra.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It would be the only one of two Tours he&#8217;d finish during his career, reaching Paris in 30th with a stage win in Brest to his name.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two years later, he was disqualified from the race after eight days. He found more success on home ground in Italy, winning three Giro stages during a nine-year career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>1937, Adrien Cento<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Cento was 19 years and 118 days old when he took the start of the race in Paris in 1937.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That race was his only career Tour appearance, and he completed the first four stages before withdrawing, with his best placing being 78th from 91 finishers on stage 2.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>2013, Danny van Poppel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe lead-out man Danny van Poppel is still going strong 13 years after his Tour debut, even if he won&#8217;t be racing in France this summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At the age of 19 years and 338 days old, he made his bow for Vacansoleil at the 2013 Tour. He&#8217;d deliver his best Tour stage result to date on the very first day of that race, sprinting to third in Bastia.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That was the first of seven Tour de France appearances to date for Van Poppel, though he&#8217;s racked up 25 wins elsewhere, including a stage of the 2015 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>2026, Paul Seixas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Well, we know all about Seixas by now. The Frenchman is in his second year as a pro and might already be among the top handful of stage racers in the peloton.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Those who watched him demolish the field at Itzulia Basque Country and La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne will eagerly anticipate his exploits this July.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b5fe16f8-663b-46fa-9802-70c52dce2016\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/is-the-tour-de-france-peloton-getting-younger-investigating-the-history-of-teenage-riders-at-the-grand-tour-as-paul-seixas-makes-his-debut\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2z6ANuKit7p9SjvJbgDRJX-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tour de France team-by-team guide \u2013 Line-up, leaders and ambitions for every squad on the start list 2 From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France 3 Tadej Poga\u010dar names teammate Isaac del Toro as a possible Tour de France [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2025704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2025704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2025704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2025704\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2025704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2025704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2025704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}