Paul Seixas to kick‑off Ligue 2 match after Tour de France

French cyclist Paul Seixas, the 19‑year‑old who finished fourth in his first Tour de France, will give the ceremonial kick‑off for the Ligue 2 encounter between FC Annecy and Rodez Aveyron FC on Friday at 20:45, officials announced.

First Tour experience

On 30 July, Seixas stepped off the bike after three weeks of racing, marking the first time in his career that the Lyonnais prodigy had taken part in the Tour de France. He did not claim a stage win, but he valued the chance to test himself against the sport’s elite over a race he had never known before.

The exposure boosted his profile, and his fourth‑place finish in the Grande Boucle 2026 earned him a special invitation to provide the fictitious kick‑off for a Ligue 2 match. The request was described as “Un invité d’exception” in the club’s announcement.

Local ties and ceremony

The club confirmed the plan on Tuesday via its social‑media channels, quoting: “Un invité d’exception au Parc des sports. Paul Seixas, revelation of world cycling and fourth of the Grande Boucle 2026, will give the fictitious kick‑off of FC Annecy‑Rodez AF this Friday.” The statement also included “La présence de Paul Seixas…”.

At 19, Seixas has family roots in Haute‑Savoie; his paternal grandparents live in the region, and he spent many childhood holidays there, making the invitation unsurprising for the local community. Le announcement highlighted his personal connection to the area.

He will be celebrated at the Parc des Sports d’Annecy just before the second‑day Ligue 2 fixture, scheduled for Friday evening. The ceremony is expected to add a festive atmosphere to the match.

Annecy entered the weekend with a 0‑1 victory on the pitch in Pau, despite an early red card for Clement Billemaz in the 16th minute. Meanwhile, Rodez secured a 3‑1 win over Laval after extra time.

Betting markets favour Rodez, who remain unbeaten in four meetings with Annecy – three wins and one draw – and they last defeated the hosts on 9 May at the same venue. The presence of Paul Seixas may help the locals to reverse the trend.