"Racing for the victory is a nice feeling" - Max Poole the revelation of Tour de Romandie, at the doors of the podium

In his first year as a pro rider Max Poole is soaring up the ranks. Recently turned 20 years old, the Team DSM rider has broken through in his first World Tour race to contest for the podium right away, as he put on an outstanding performance at the Tour de Romandie's most difficult stage.

“It was a very tough climb. We're a really good team, Oscar [Onley] Romain [Bardet] and me. Oscar rode a very tight pace at the head of the peloton and thinned out the group," the Briton told CyclingPro.net. “The plan was for Romain to attack on the steep part, but they didn't give him much room. So it became a bit of a cat-and-mouse game."

Poole had ridden to an 11th place at the Tour of the Alps where he won the youth classification so he wasn't a total surprise at the front, however as the group continuously lost riders the Briton remained well positioned. It was an impressive ride as Team DSM took up the responsibility of the group for some kilometers, and even more when Adam Yates attacked and his own leader Romain Bardet began to struggle.

“He really likes to race with us, and we like to race with him," Poole said of the Frenchman. "He is a good mentor to us. By hanging out with him every day, we pick up new things. He's a really good guy." As Bardet dropped back to eventually finish 7th on the day, Poole resisted the high pace in the chasing group and crossed the line in fourth place, riding together with Matteo Jorgenson who remained second in the GC and leading the youth classification.

“It's a bit of a surprise that I'm riding so well, a nice surprise! During the Tour of the Alps I had good legs, so I hoped to have recovered from that and to have a similar feeling this week," the young Briton continued.

"It's a nice feeling to be at the front. Of course it is a bit of a shame that I miss the podium, but racing for the victory is a nice feeling." He should be able to cement his fourth place in the overall classification today, fruit of a consistent race. The Tour de Hongrie will most likely be his next race in the calendar and he is positioning himself as a serious favourite.