'I've been watching it on TV since I was twelve' – Super talent Paul Seixas braces to test himself against the world's best in Strade Bianche debut

Eighteen-year-old French sensation Paul Seixas is set to make his WorldTour debut at Strade Bianche, an early-season monument. The AG2R Citroën U19 rider, a reigning junior world champion in the mixed relay and European junior road race silver medallist, has been granted special permission by the UCI to compete against the sport's elite, a rare allowance for a rider of his age. This highly anticipated appearance will see him test his mettle on the iconic Tuscan gravel roads this Saturday.

This immediate leap to a WorldTour classic is a significant indicator of the immense promise Seixas holds, echoing similar fast-tracked talents like Remco Evenepoel. His impressive junior palmarès, including a dominant 2023 season, has clearly convinced AG2R La Mondiale management and the UCI that he is ready for an early baptism of fire. Strade Bianche, with its unforgiving white roads and tactical complexities, offers a unique proving ground, providing an early gauge of his potential against seasoned professionals.

While the expectation isn't a victory, merely finishing Strade Bianche at 18 is a statement. It's a bold move by AG2R, betting on a prodigy whose television viewing habits are now his reality.