Wout Poels is not thinking about retiring yet: "If you ask me now, I would like to continue"

For Wout Poels, 2023 was a year marked by ups and downs, because on a sporting level the now 36-year-old Dutchman was doing well with a stage win in the Tour and the Vuelta, but on the other hand he did lose more than just a teammate in Gino Mäder at Bahrain Victorious.

At the age of 36, the end of his cycling career is rapidly approaching. When asked whether he will continue for more than a year, he cannot give a clear answer. "I now have another year of contract with Bahrain Victorious," Poels begins the interview with AD. "I'm going to take it one year at a time. But if you ask me now, I would like to continue. It's going well and I'm still enjoying it."

So farewell is not on his mind at the moment. "Because I am still performing and riding at a good level. But honestly: I'm also a bit afraid to quit. Well, scared. More like: what are you going to do then, huh? I've now been a professional for almost 15 years. This has been my life since I was 18. I have been a top athlete for half my life. When I think about the afterlife, I sometimes get a little short of breath. Becoming a sports director doesn't really appeal to me. I don't know yet whether I want to stay in cycling. I think cycling is just so beautiful."

Which of Poels' victories were the best? "I also thought riding for Chris, G and Egan was really nice. Ride everyone off in those mountains and arrive into Paris in yellow. But winning races yourself is the best thing there is. I'm getting a little older and nearing the end of my career. I enjoy it more. Get up and train. That never bothers me. Going to training camp still doesn't dull me."