France backs Seixas and Célia Gery to win the Worlds

France will arrive at the Montréal Road World Championships with Paul Seixas and Célia Gery as the main references of its elite teams. Seixas will lead the men's squad after finishing second to Isaac del Toro at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, held on key sections of the same circuit that will decide the rainbow jersey on September 27.

The 19-year-old will be supported by Nicolas Prodhomme, Jordan Labrosse, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Pavel Sivakov, Alex Baudin and Bruno Armirail. Louis Barré remains a doubt after crashing at the Grand Prix de Québec. France intends to race for victory and use several riders to create favourable moves rather than wait for the final lap.

Gery will head the women's selection in the absence of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, whose 2026 season is over. The French champion will be joined by Juliette Berthet, Marie Le Net, Léa Curinier, Evita Muzic, Cédrine Kerbaol and Maëva Squiban. The team plans to use its collective strength against favourites such as Demi Vollering.