"A bit strange. It was my first time really experiencing that" - Max Poole admits to having rest-day struggles at debut Grand Tour

20-year-old British rider, Max Poole has shown a lot of promise in his career to date and as such, big things are expected of the Team DSM-Firmenich man in the years to come. In 2023 he took another step in his development by making a Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana.

“The team presentation was something I'll probably never forget,” recalled Poole in conversation with Cycling News. “You feel like you're there then, I think. It’s been hard to get to this point, not just this year but over the years.”

It was the perfect start to life as a Grand Tour rider for Poole as well. In the darkness and downpours of the opening stage team time-trial, Team DSM-Firmenich took the stage win and the first Red Jersey of the race. “We knew we could do a good ride with the group of riders we had and our equipment, all the experts working hard," Poole says. “Such a crazy, crazy way, the highest possible way to start, and I'll never forget that feeling of sitting in the seats with the guys and celebrating."

Seen as a potential Grand Tour winner of the future, the 2023 Vuelta a Espana was supposed be a testing of the waters in regards to general classification challenges for Poole. Sadly, that wasn't quite how things transpired.

“There was a part for me to try and get some experience and develop in the GC skills. The first week was pretty tough. I had some quite bad stomach problems, like quite a few others, so it was quite disappointing not really to be able to keep going with that only after a few days," he admits before crediting teammate Romain Bardet with some key advice. “In the meetings, they have a lot of knowledge of how things will go, if it's going to be a big fight for the break - which was every day anyway. They get a feel for what might happen on stages. Romain is such an experienced rider; you really can learn a lot from him, and it was really nice to do my first Grand Tour with him in the team.”

Rest days were also something new for Poole and as such, not something he has fully worked out yet. “Personally, I don't think I really like them too much…I just feel like I stiffen up with it. The first one was a bit strange. You're still in the race, but you're not racing. It was my first time really experiencing that," Poole says but nevertheless, he finished the race. “When you're coming from school to switch on the TV and watch the race, and now I've just crossed the line, and I've done it myself - it's definitely a big achievement. At the same time, I'm still looking ahead…I still want to push myself, and now the goalposts have moved a bit."