"It's the definitive proof that I'm a specialist" - Paul Seixas takes bronze in the time trial at the World Championships

Paul Seixas has racked up a number of firsts in his second season as a neo-pro in the WorldTour, but standing on the podium in his first elite time trial at the World Championships , against a stellar field, adds a whole new dimension to the Frenchman’s talent.

The 19-year-old, who turns 20 before Sunday's men's elite road race, finished third, 1:13 behind four-time world champion Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) and just 16 seconds behind silver medalist Filippo Ganna (Italy).

If his fourth-place finish in both the Tour de France general classification and the stage 16 time trial were already a sign of his qualities, Sunday's performance in Montreal, Canada, is the definitive confirmation: Seixas is already a specialist in his own right.

"I think this is now definitive proof that I'm one of the specialists. The two guys ahead of me have both been world champions multiple times, and they're two of the greatest riders in the discipline," Seixas said at the post-race press conference, speaking in a mix of French and English.

"Finishing third at the World Time Trial Championships definitely puts me among the specialists, especially on a very, very flat course today. I'm happy with my performance and to have validated what I've built this season.

"Today, Remco is the best time trialist in the world, and today the proof is clear. Maybe in the future, if I progress physically and in my position on the bike, I can close some of that gap. But you have to give Remco credit: he's probably the most aerodynamic guy in the group and one of the greatest time trialists of all time.

"For now, I won't claim to be able to compete with Remco in a time trial one day. He's a great champion, and I respect that. I'll work to hope to compete with him one day, but right now the gap is wide. I'll work, and if I can compete with him one day, it will be fantastic."

As a French rider with considerable talent in the Grand Tours, it is not surprising that he has framed his time trial results as a springboard towards a podium or a general classification victory.

"It's really important because in the general classification, being strong in the time trial counts for a lot. Today, beaten only by two great specialists in the discipline on a flat course and a long time trial, it's really nice to be at this level," said Seixas.

"It gives me real confidence about my time trial training. I'm really happy with my performance, but also with what the French team and my coach did. They played a big role in this medal today, and I want to thank them.

"The course was very flat. Obviously, there were a lot of curves that made it quite technical. For me, they were quite tight, so I didn't want to risk falling before the next objectives. But I knew my lines well, I knew the course well, so I made sure to pass quickly without leaning too much to avoid falling.

"The credit goes to [French national team coach] Thomas Voeckler, who was following me and guided me very well throughout the time trial, as well as to my coach, who set a great pacing strategy and gave me confidence. I'm happy to have achieved this performance; they played a major role in helping me win this medal."

The course featured a technical section with tight corners, and his caution was evident at the first time check, where he was fourth. Ganna was even more cautious, passing that first section in tenth place.

Both faced the same part at the end of the 39.2km course, and the rider who was second at the first checkpoint and just 10 seconds behind Evenepoel, Jakob Søderqvist (Sweden), crashed on the bend and ended up finishing fifth.

"I didn't take too many risks in the corners, so naturally in the first split I lost a few precious seconds compared to the pure specialists - even though I consider myself a true specialist - compared to guys who were focusing everything on the time trial and maybe a little less on the subsequent races," Seixas said.

"They might have taken a few more risks, which makes sense. I lost some time on the first split, even though I was on the same pace as the others.

"On the straights, I really pushed the pedals, which allowed me to gradually make up ground. In the end, the pace was really good because I was able to squeeze out even more energy and finish very strong. The few seconds I lost on the corners aren't a big deal; they allowed me to stay in the saddle for what's to come, while also securing a very nice medal. It was a perfect execution, I think."

Seixas is also considered a potential contender in Sunday's men's elite road race, after finishing second, behind only Isaac del Toro, at last week's Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal. However, the Frenchman has refrained from commenting on his chances of another medal or even the rainbow jersey.

"I think it confirms the good feelings I had last week. This week I felt good again, and during the time trial I felt really great," Seixas said. "I don't think it compares to last week's efforts, which were shorter and repeated over a long distance.

"The road race has nothing to do with the time trial, but it shows that I've made good progress in this discipline this season—that was the main goal. Obviously, I'm in good shape right now, which bodes well for what's to come. That said, it doesn't guarantee anything for next week; it's a different kind of effort, we'll see next week."