"I find myself much happier in that role" - Danny van Poppel reveals his thoughts about being a leadout man

Danny van Poppel has grown into a successful sprinter and classics rider, but in 2022 he was faced with a new role, as a leadout man for BORA - hansgrohe and Sam Bennett. He reflects on what he considered a successful season.

“I have already had the debriefing of the season with the team. It was positive from both sides. We have hardly been able to list things that went wrong. That is very special in a year," van Poppel admitted in an interview with Wielerflits. Sam Bennett joined the team again for the season, but has struggled with form throughout most of the year, allowing the Dutchman to have a free role frequently.

“I have already been in several top teams, but the working method at Jumbo-Visma at the time, for example, was not for me. When I went to BORA-hansgrohe, I asked if they did altitude training camps. Because I didn't want to. They said, 'Danny, just do what you want'," he reveals. "I held my training camp in my hometown of Monaco then. Everyone was gone, but I was sitting comfortably there and things are going great. I'm happy there. The mental aspect is very important to me, such as the time with my girlfriend, because she is also away from home a lot. This structure suits me exactly.”

After riding for World Tour teams such as Vacansoleil, Trek, INEOS, Jumbo-Visma and Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux where he experienced a very successful 2021 season, van Poppel was ready for a new role. He signed with the German team, and was assigned as the main leadout man for Sam Bennett. Ryan Mullen would be the other key piece of the puzzle.

“But we didn't know each other well. I spoke to him as a competitor once when I was riding with Wanty. In Portugal [2021 Volta ao Algarve] he beat me twice and at one point I got interest from BORA-hansgrohe, as a lead-out. My managers came with the message about that lead-out and I immediately found it very interesting;" he continued.

"I've always said to my girlfriend that if a team with a top sprinter comes for me, I'm open to it. I find myself much happier in that role. And that came my way. I then sent Sam a personal message that I wanted to work with him. It was completed within two days. And I don't think the team would have thought I would be that good," van Poppel concluded.