Jonas Vingegaard has found himself a new competitor for the Tour de France in the face of French super talent Paul Seixas, who seems capable of challenging both the Dane and Tadej Pogacar.
But Vingegaard should be happy that Seixas is not taking part in this year's Giro d'Italia, as Seixas is very likely to have gotten the upper hand on the Dane, says former World Championship runner-up (2010) and current sport director for EF-Education, Matti Breschel.
"If he had competed in the Giro, Seixas would have beaten Vingegaard. That's my theory", says Breschel to Eurosport.
He is convinced that Vingegaard would have been beaten by the young Frenchman if Seixas had chosen to line up in the Giro.
"We saw how Seixas rode in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he finished second to Pogacar. He is the only one who has been able to follow him up La Redoute (the climb where he has cemented his recent victories, ed.) I was surprised that he could last so long until Pogacar delivered the final blow."
Matti Breschel points to two things that suggest that the 19-year-old Seixas would have beaten Vingegaard. "Firstly, he hit an insane peak of form right up to the Giro – and secondly, this year's route is not so tough", which speaks in his favor.
Still, he does not think that Vingegaard should be worried in the future about the new French rival.
"I'm not worried about Jonas; he has nothing to prove. He shouldn't be nervous. It's an extra competitor, but I think Jonas believes in his approach, his program, and everything he's doing right now", says Breschel.
The Giro d'Italia ends on 31 May in Rome.