Dominique Serieys: “To target the general classification and claim at least one stage victory”
“We approach the Tour with ambition, but also with humility, determined to build on the progress we have made over the past few seasons. We have built a strong, well-balanced, and united team, featuring riders with the profiles needed to achieve our objectives. Paul Seixas will make his Tour de France debut as part of this group, aiming to deliver the best possible result while continuing his development and gaining valuable experience. Olav Kooij, who will also be making his first appearance in the Tour de France, will have several opportunities to showcase his sprinting speed in the bunch finishes. With this lineup, the team led by Luke Rowe, who will be making his Grand Tour debut as a sports director, will target the general classification while also aiming to claim at least one stage victory whenever the opportunity arises.”
Paul Seixas: “Giving everything to achieve the best result possible”
“After my crash and withdrawal from the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, I was able to resume my preparation for the Tour de France almost as planned, with a few adjustments to some training sessions because of my injuries. With five days to go until the Grand Départ, I feel ready to give everything I have over these three weeks and achieve the best result possible. I am not setting myself a more specific goal because I am heading into the unknown, having never raced an event this long and demanding before. I hope I can play an active role in the race, continue to improve, and enjoy the experience along the way. It is the race I have always dreamed of, and I know how fortunate I am to be taking part in it so early in my career.”
Olav Kooij: “I have regained a lot of confidence”
“The start of my season was not what I had hoped for, but we remained patient and kept working. The victories I achieved in recent weeks, after returning to competition, have given me a lot of confidence. I know the level of competition will be even higher because we will be racing in the biggest cycling event in the world, but our goals are clear, both for the team and for me: to help Paul finish as high as possible in the overall standings and to win at least one sprint stage. I am grateful to the team for the trust they have placed in me.”
Key figure: 1937
Paul Seixas will start the 2026 Tour de France at the age of 19 years, 9 months and 10 days, making him the youngest rider to compete in Tour de France since 1937.
News: A first for our two leaders
For their Tour de France debut, Paul Seixas and Olav Kooij will take on leadership roles. They will be supported by a squad well accustomed to the demands of three-week racing. Tiesj Benoot, who is set to start his 11th Grand Tour, will bring his experience alongside Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Nicolas Prodhomme and Cees Bol, all of whom will be making their 8th Grand Tour appearance. Daan Hoole (6th Grand Tour) and Matthew Riccitello (4th Grand Tour but first Tour de France) complete a balanced lineup capable of supporting its two young leaders across all terrains.
