The Badger, the Professor and the teenager: France’s long wait for a Tour champion | William Fotheringham

The anticipation surrounding 19-year-old Paul Seixas is palpable as he aims to break a 40-year drought for French Tour de France champions. For those who’ve covered the race for decades, the narrative of France’s elite cyclists remains a compelling saga of hope and heartbreak. Seixas’s potential victory would not only mark a significant moment for French cycling but also offer a refreshing narrative shift in a sport often dominated by other nations. This moment matters deeply for France, symbolizing both national pride and the enduring spirit of its cycling tradition.