NOS Cycling•today, 4:34 PM
No Giro d’Italia for Wout Poels after all. The Dutch climber would have liked to be at the start of the first major cycling round of the year on Saturday, but his team Bahrain Victorious left him out of the selection.
“I would have liked to ride the Giro to chase after winning a stage,” says the 36-year-old Poels. Last year, Poels achieved stage victories in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. He could have completed a special trilogy in the Giro.
“I will now prepare for other important races later this year. Unfortunately, but that is also part of professional sport,” said the Limburg rider.
The Giro door is still slightly ajar. “I am on reserve, so if something unexpected happens, I am ready to step in.”
Poels was in good shape, as evidenced by his sixth place in the Tour of the Alps. In that five-day race, which serves as preparation for the Giro, he had to give in 48 seconds to the Spanish winner Juan Pedro López a week and a half ago.
Last week at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Poels was eagerly looking forward to the Giro d’Italia:
What can former winner Poels do in Liège-Bastogne-Liège? ‘On La Redoute you know what time it is’
