Monday April 29, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Wout Poels will not appear at the start of the Giro d’Italia on Saturday. The experienced climber from Bahrain Victorious would have liked to ride the Tour of Italy himself. “But the team would prefer that I prepare for other important races later this year,” he told the AD.
Wout Poels had set a clear goal for himself in the upcoming Giro d’Italia. After being successful last year with stage victories in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, he wanted to complete the Grand Tour trilogy in the next three weeks. In the run-up to the Tour of Italy, he already showed that he was in good shape. For example, he was sixth in the Tour of the Alps, an important preparation race for the Giro.
Only: his team has decided differently and so Poels is not part of the final selection of Bahrain Victorious for the first big round of the season. “The team would prefer that I prepare for other important races later this year. Unfortunately, but that is also part of professional sport,” the Dutchman responded to his non-selection.
Reserve
“Perhaps the Giro will fit better into my program in the coming years. I am still a reserve, so if something unexpected happens to the other riders, I am ready to step in. It’s still a long season and hopefully I can go for the Tour.”
