Paul Seixas is being pitched as Frances best hope in a generation to win the Tour de France. The 19-year-old only added to the weight of expectation with a resounding victory in his debut appearance at La Flche Wallonne. Although the team is yet to confirm his race calendar for the year, the expectations of a nation that hasnt had a winner in the mens race since 1985 are building around his potential Tour appearance this summer. Here are five numbers behind the young riders extraordinary hype train. Read more: A resting heart rate of 37 and an FTP of 415: seven remarkable numbers behind Tadej Pogaar's Tour de France success 19 The young Seixas turned 19 in September 2025. Winning a race as prestigious as Flche Wallonne so young, and so early in a career, is highly unusual. In fact, Seixas is the youngest winner in the races 90-year history, and only the second rider to win in their debut outing. He had never raced the Mur de Huy before this week, yet still produced one of the fastest ascents ever recorded on the climb. 7 Seixas bears a heavy weight of expectation on his shoulders following his win at La Flche Wallone. Seixas already has seven wins to his name in 2026. They include taking the overall win, plus the mountains, points and youth classifications yes, all four! at the Itzulia Basque Country. He also won three individual stages in that race and now has a coveted Ardennes Classic to his name not to mention coming second to Pogi at Strade Bianche. Thats a decent showing for the start of a young season, and career. 0 Remarkably, given the extraordinary hype around Seixas, he has yet to start a Grand Tour. If he does ride this years Tour and performs as well as expected or, at least hoped he would be doing so without the usual progression pathway riders follow towards the gruelling demands of three-week racing. Even last years breakout Tour star, Oscar Onley, had ridden the Tour in 2024, finishing 39th on GC before improving his standings to fourth overall in 2025. The Scotsman also lined up at the 2023 Vuelta, but dropped out on the second stage. Read more: Oscar Onley to Ineos Grenadiers: a stepping stone or the final piece in the puzzle? 41 Pauline Ferrand-Prvot delivered a much-needed home victory at the 2025 Tour de France Femmes. But in the mens event, it has been 41 years since a French winner, when Bernard Hinault claimed his fifth and final title in 1985. Contemporary near-misses from Romain Bardet and Julian Alaphilippe caused heartbreak almost worthy of national mourning, so the pressure for a good result if he starts will weigh almost intolerably on Seixas shoulders. 22,000 Youre the next Hinault, the chosen one, but won't someone think of me? Please dont sign for UAE. Inspired by rumours he may leave for UAE after, among other things, his brother, Nino, was spotted riding in team kit, these are the closing lines of Killows heartfelt appeal to Seixas. At the time of writing, the post has 22,300 likes on Instagram and the song has even been extended to a full track on Spotify. The idea of Seixas leaving a French team so early in his career has already become a talking point at the highest levels, with the French president reported to have taken an interest in ensuring he remains with the Lille-based Decathlon CMA-CGM.