‘Nothing is impossible’ – Paul Seixas bruised but up for the fight on final day of Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Seixas later spoke to the media at the start of the final stage.

“For sure I feel quite bad, but it’s the last day – we’re going to give it all today,” he said.

Asked if it was wise to carry on, he added: “I have nothing broken. Also I’m taking this race as part of my preparation for the Tour de France, so to get some good intensity in today is important.”

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Seixas looked dead and buried yesterday when he crashed but while he might be battered and bruised now, he’s not yet out of the running, sitting sixth overall, 1:54 down on yellow jersey Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and 1:05 down on fellow pre-race favourite Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).

Sunday’s finale is an explosive brute, measuring just 120km but packing in four major mountain ascents and finishing up at the Plateau de Solaison.

Asked about his ambitions, Seixas kept that open: “Dig in, then see how I feel as the day goes on. Today is about testing myself.

“It’s going to be very complicated but nothing is impossible. I’m going to fight to the end as best as possible.”