Under the lights at Groupama Stadium, Lyon will welcome one of its own before facing Nice. Cycling prodigy Paul Seixas is set to take the ceremonial kick-off for Olympique Lyonnais’ Ligue 1 meeting with OGC Nice on Sunday 18 October at 20:45.
Key takeaways
- Paul Seixas will be honoured by Lyon ahead of the club’s seventh Ligue 1 matchday fixture against Nice.
- The 20-year-old rider recently made history by winning the Tour of Lombardy, his first Monument title.
- Seixas was born in Lyon and has long supported Olympique Lyonnais.
- The Decathlon CMA CGM cyclist now lives on the French Riviera despite his attachment to Lyon.
- He previously performed a ceremonial kick-off before Annecy’s Ligue 2 game against Rodez in August.
A Lyon supporter returns to the stadium
Seixas will step onto the pitch before Lyon’s home fixture against Nice in a moment linking two of French sport’s most visible worlds. The young rider has emerged from his landmark Lombardy victory as one of cycling’s major new names, becoming a Monument winner at only 20.
For Lyon, the occasion carries a more personal note. Seixas is a native of the city and has never hidden his affection for OL, even after settling on the Côte d’Azur for his professional career.
He rides for Decathlon CMA CGM and is among the cyclists based around Nice, an area also used by leading figures of the sport including Tadej Pogacar. On Sunday night, however, the Riviera resident will be welcomed as a Lyon supporter before the two clubs meet in Ligue 1.
Another football appearance for Seixas
The Groupama Stadium ceremony will not be Seixas’ first involvement in a football matchday. In August, he was invited to take the symbolic opening kick before FC Annecy played Rodez in Ligue 2.
His appearance in Lyon comes after the defining result of his young cycling career, with the Tour of Lombardy triumph placing him in the history books and giving OL supporters another local sporting success to salute.
