“The podium places at the Vuelta already seem to have been taken, but then they also want to steal the stage successes" - Wout Poels laments Jumbo-Visma's suffocation of Vuelta a Espana
Cycling
Wout Poels has come close a few times at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana without managing to add a stage win to his palmares. Prior to another potential opportunity on stage 16, the Dutchman lamented the suffocation of Jumbo-Visma and the lack of breakaway opportunities.
“Unfortunately there are not many left. In recent weeks, Jumbo-Visma constantly controlled the stages in which I was comfortable, while they let go in the flatter stages," the 35-year-old Dutchman of Bahrain - Victorious tells the podcast AD In Koers. "It doesn't make sense to me. That dominance is sometimes annoying.”
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Poels did manage to take a stage win earlier this year at the Tour de France ahead of Jumbo-Visma's Wout van Aert. His chances aren't totally crushed at this race, although he isn't entirely hopeful. “The podium places at the Vuelta already seem to have been taken, but then they also want to steal the day's successes. That is a bit difficult sometimes," he explains.
"When Dylan van Baarle recently took the lead, Landa said: Oh no, here we go again. If you have that effect on Landa..." Poels concludes. “No, it doesn't make me grumpy. We continue to go first every day. This is also part of it, of course.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
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🇪🇸 #LaVuelta23 | ST 16 🚩 Liencres Playa 🏁 Bejes 🛣️ 120.1km 🗣️ TBV coach @Arpax: “Maybe it looks flat on paper, but it’s a difficult stage.” #RideAsOne #RideforGino
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