Paul Seixas chose to skip the French National Championships in La Tour-du-Pin on June 28 by opting to participate in a single race, the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on June 7, just before the Grand Départ of the Tour de France on July 4 in Barcelona.
A week before the start of the Tour de France, the Decathlon CMA CGM rider will focus on resting. This decision is in line with the trend observed by Michel Callot, the president of the French Cycling Federation, where riders with Tour de France ambitions often skip national championships to prepare for the prestigious race.
Last year, Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Florian Lipowitz, who finished high in the Tour de France, did not compete in their respective national championships. This practice is not unique to French cyclists, as similar patterns were observed in other countries as well.
The president of the French Cycling Federation revealed that discussions are underway to reconsider the scheduling of national championships to accommodate the changing priorities of professional cyclists. Although France has not faced significant issues with this trend so far, it is essential to monitor the situation to maintain the interest and participation in national championships.
The cycling community is exploring ways to adapt to the evolving landscape of professional cycling and ensure the continued success and relevance of national championships in the sport.
