Wout Poels eyes stage win at Giro d'Italia to complete Grand Tour trilogy: "It won't be easy, but it is achievable"

Wout Poels has in the past been a key rider at Team Sky, and in recent years has been a reliable figure in Bahrain - Victorious, winning stages at the Tour de France, Vuelta a España and several other races besides often playing a domestique role. He now joins the Astana Qazqstan Team where he should have more freedom and leadership, and is eager for the experience to begin.

"It takes a bit of getting used to the team. I rode for Bahrain-Victorious for five years and knew exactly how it went. I had to find my way in how everything works, but that will eventually work itself out," Poels shared with Wielerevue. He admits that a friend and compatriot influenced him to join the Kazakh team. "But a good friend of mine regularly trains with Cees Bol. I was able to ask through him, haha. Cees is a down-to-earth guy. He has been riding here for a few years and is enjoying himself, so it can't be bad."

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Astana got more funds for this winter, coming from Chinese XDS who is set to become a title sponsor from the 1st January onwards. He enjoyed the team training camp in Altea together with the team where he was able to meet with familiar faces but also a lot of young riders.

"Yesterday we went out for a bite to eat with all the riders. A kind of semi-initiation for the neo-pros. I was looking at those young guys and I thought: you're in for a great adventure in the next ten to fifteen years," he continued. "When I turned pro, I was so proud. I thought: I don't have to work, I can make my hobby my profession. That's the best thing there is. They're going to race, at training camp in the coming years. I still really enjoy doing it."

His program is still relatively unknown, but most certainly there will be a big focus on the Giro d'Italia, and the reason is very clear: "That trilogy of stage wins in Grand Tours is alive in me," he admits. "I want to ride well everywhere, but it is also important to really set such a personal goal. It won't be easy, but it is achievable."

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