"A race like Flanders would be a dream to win" - Neilson Powless on 2024 goals, managing fatigue and dreams

Neilson Powless is a very versatile rider and one who performed greatly over 2023. However, he acknowledges that he spent too much time in good form early in the year and struggled to keep his form in the Ardennes where he'll have a focus next season, alongside the Tour de France and Olympic Games.

"I started a bit earlier than last year, with about five weeks off this time. It feels like the fitness has come back quickly but I just need to manage that because I want to be fresh for later. In 2023 I felt a bit tired once we got to the Ardennes, so for 2024 I want to be more careful and not get overworked," Powless said in an interview with GCN. He started the season in flying form winning the GP La Marseillaise and Etoile de Bessèges, and pushed his form all throughout the spring, racing into fifth at the Tour of Flanders after several other quality results. But then he was completely absent from the Ardennes, and as a puncheur he looks to perform there.

"Every year I’m learning and trying out new training techniques. I’m fine-tuning things and maybe in 2023 I made a few mistakes but overall I hope I can keep myself fresher for longer. I just need to hold myself back and ensure I don’t overdo things. In training, I’ve often done something extra but just because I can doesn’t mean that I should.” At the Tour de France then he wore the KOM jersey over the first days but was far from his best level when it came to chasing wins. He came out of it with good form into the Clásica San Sebastián and World Championships where he was strong. However next season he marks the Tour as a clear goal.

“I’d like to win something at the Tour, whether it’s a stage or a jersey. I also have a mind towards the Olympics and I’d like to go there with the shot of a medal, and that might be on my mind at the Tour. At the end of the day, I’ll have to go after the goals the team wants me to chase but with the abilities that I have, I’ll get an opportunity one way or another," he says. That will likely be an absolute priority for the American.

"One day I’d like to go full-on for the polka dot jersey but I don’t know if that’s next year or not. We might need to ride for Richard Carapaz on GC. A stage win is a massive aim too and I’ve been close several times but just missed out," he tells. However, as an extremely versatile rider, he admits that he can also perform in the spring classics all over, and does not attach himself to an unique set of goals.

"I don’t want to pigeonhole myself. One day a race like Flanders would be a dream to win and I’d like to win San Remo one day and Liège. I’d like to win all of them because in my mind I can see myself winning them if the stars align," he tells.