Young Dutch rider up with the favourites with two laps to go
Dutch rider Wout Poels surpassed even his own expectations with his performance in the World Championship road race in Melbourne, Australia. The Vacansoleil rider, who turned 23-years-old just two days before the race finished 42nd at 7’22”, finishing alongside Dutch teammate Lars Boom; the final result doesn’t tell the whole story however.
Crossing the line with two laps to go Poels was in a very select group of seven riders, which included race favourites Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) and Filippo Pozzato (Italy), and defending champion Cadel Evans (Australia), in pursuit of a lead group of five. With teammate Koos Moerenhout ahead with the leaders, Poels had no pressure to work in the chase but he faded in that penultimate lap and dropped back.
This performance came after a last minute call up to the team, following Laurens Ten Dam crashing out of the Vuelta a España.
“When I held that Laurens had cashed in Spain,” he told NUSport, “I thought it was bad for him, but I also thought that I might get a chance.
“Until two laps from the end I could compete with the best. I’m just 23 and I believe I have something to say. We’ll see how I recover from this trip; we’ll ride Paris-Tours, but it’s not really the race for me.”
As a Vacansoleil rider, Poels is fully aware of the latest scandal surrounding new teammate Riccardo Riccò, whose Italian home was raided last week. The Dutchman is willing to give Riccò the benefit of the doubt for now though, reserving judgement until all the facts are known.
“It seems to me, in this respect, that it’s not a bad decision,” he said, “but it remains to be seen. Of course I know his reputation and sometimes I hear stories about him. But I don’t judge until I know it all personally; I give everyone a chance.”
Before his strong performance in Melbourne, Poels won a stage in the Tour of Britain and a stage in the Tour de l’Ain.