'Heading into the unknown' – Dynamic debutant duo of Paul Seixas and Olav Kooij confirmed for Decathlon CMA CGM squad at Tour de France

Decathlon CMA CGM Team's French rider Paul Seixas drops behind the pack of riders cycles during the 8th and final stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes cycling race (formerly known as the Criterium du Dauphine), 120,1km between Beaufort and Plateau de Solaison, in the French Alps on June 14, 2026. Decathlon CMA CGM Team's French rider Paul Seixas withdrew from the race early on the final 8th stage after suffering a crash one day prior. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP).

Paul Seixas and Olav Kooij have both been named by Decathlon CMA CGM for their eight-rider roster at the 2026 Tour de France. Speculation had been swirling for over a week if 19-year-old French talent Seixas would recover enough from a recent crash to make his debut at the Grand Boucle.

There was doubt also about Kooij taking part in his first-ever Tour de France, already a three-time stage winner at the Giro d'Italia at age 24. Now the debutant duo will have leadership roles as part of a line-up with Tiesj Benoot, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Nicolas Prodhomme, Cees Bol, Daan Hoole and Matthew Riccitello, also making his first appearance at the race.