"The first part of the season is not so much about the results": Max Poole hopes to return to his best at Grand Tours

Max Poole entered the 2026 season with ambition, however his first start of the year at the Volta ao Algarve was merely testing the waters with an 18th place in individiual time trial. But for the Briton, the result was not disappointment - rather a reassurement of being able to return to his level from 2025 Giro d'Italia, before being struck by Epstein-Barr virus in August of last year.

Thus, completing the Portuguese block without any major problems was a positive signal towards his goal later into the season, especially the Giro-Vuelta double which returns to Poole's schedule after missing out on the Spanish Grand Tour in 2025.

"Yeah, obviously it's been a while since I've properly raced, since the Dauphiné really, so it's just nice to be back in a bunch," Poole told Domestique.

For that part, Poole is also thankful to his team for not having to make a globetrotter-esque adventure at the start of the season. "I think being on European roads makes quite a big difference at the start of the season, and it’s just getting used to being back in the bunch and back enjoying racing again."

Although the first part of 2026 will be mainly about comeback for Poole, the idea for summer is to take a further step and improve on his 11th place overall from last year's Giro d'Italia.

"I think over the last couple of years, definitely I would say I gained quite a lot of experience, and now it's just about I think putting it all together and making the step physically as well," Poole said.

"Another year older, a bit stronger, and I think that's the key really, just putting it all together, and I think we still have a lot to get out of myself, and I think we have some time to put that into practice."

When it comes to motivation, the 23-year-old has a lot to desire. After all, his previous two season were always tainted by health issues of one sort or another. Thus, if 2026 goes smoothly as planned, that would be in itself a success. But of course the young climber aims for more than just a solid year.

Seeing compatriot and former teammate Oscar Onley rise to the 4th place overall at last year's Tour de France is simply an added layer. Thanks to the Scot, Poole saw that it's indeed possibly to go up against the best in the world. And in 2026, he wants to do the same. Does the opportunity to race against Onley provide an extra boost?

"No, not really, I have a lot of motivation myself. I want to achieve a lot of things, and the team trust in me a lot, and all the guys who I go to the races with back me a lot, and I think this first part of the season it's not so much about the results. It's more them getting back into racing. I have the motivation myself, but the most important thing is just to get the race fitness and enjoy it," Poole concluded.