Seixas takes a break – Decathlon contract talks expected late August or September
Not that it ever really went away, but following the Tour de France, talk of Paul Seixas's future has spun back into frenzied levels in the days post-Paris. Decathlon-CMA CGM team boss Dominique Serieys has revealed a rough timeline for when talks are likely to take place – and when news might be expected.
"Unlike the teams trying to compete with us for his signature, there is no pressure and no fixed timetable between us,” Serieys told Le Parisien. “First, Paul will take at least two weeks to recharge with his friends and family before returning to training. Then, some time between mid August and early September, we will open discussions.”
Serieys added that he remains confident that the 19-year-old will continue with the French WorldTeam, especially after a successful Tour de France.
"The pressure around this story is coming from the media and is also being fuelled by those who are trying to attract him,” Serieys said. “I insist that we remain very calm. Paul wanted the subject kept out of the way during the Tour, and we will deal with what comes next later."
What comes next will involve development not just for Seixas but for the whole team, which is already in the works.
"We have identified the components we need and how the team has to evolve. Today, a team is built with a lot of support riders, and not only for the Tour de France,” Serieys went on. “The conviction Paul needs to have, and that we already have, is that he will win with us. He has already won races. We will continue to strengthen so that we can be better than the others.”
Caley Fretz
