"There are more cowboys in the peloton" - One of cycling's most experienced riders calls out young guns
Cycling
One of the peloton's most experienced riders has called out younger riders' apparent lack of respect for the bunch's old guard, labelling exuberant young riders 'cowboys' as he also opened up on safety concerns in the sport.
Wout Poels, who rode with Unibet Rose Rockets this season, hasn't yet confirmed a team for 2027 after turning 39-years-old at the beginning of this month, but has proven in recent seasons that he can still compete with the best.
The 2016 Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner turned professional in 2009, and sees a different culture among young riders when it comes to earning respect and riding styles in this generation.
In a stinging criticism of young riders, he claimed that the current generation 'don't care' about the status of seasoned professionals, comparing it to when he was a young professional - claiming that he wouldn't challenge a top rider of the time such as Tom Boonen.
"There are more cowboys in the peloton. When I turned pro, a rookie knew his place. If I saw Tom Boonen, I stayed neatly behind him. Those young guys care less about who you are," Poels said.
Poels on rider safety
Opening up on safety concerns within cycling, he sees difficulty in managing or enforcement of guidelines in sprints, as he questioned the definition of riding lines when finishes feature corners or road furniture.
"After a mass sprint through bends and narrow sections, riders are told to hold their line. Then I think: what is the straight line here, actually?
"Sometimes you get a yellow card for two centimeters, while at the finish you mainly think: who ever approved this? We will see if SafeR makes a difference."
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Ultimately, Poels hopes that the sport can become safer, pointing to the establishment of SafeR as hope that additional funding can be allocated towards increased measures.
Providing an example, he would like to see additional safety barriers added to mountain climbs and stages to better protect riders from overcrowded sections of fans, road furniture or other hazards.
"So much money is being pumped into cycling; then a few extra kilometers of barriers in a mountain stage shouldn't be an impossible investment. A bit more of that money should definitely go towards safety."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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