Wout Poels mourns non-selection for World Championships: "I can do better than some of the riders who were selected"

The Netherlands have confirmed its selection for the Zurich 2024 World Championships. The goal is clear - to defend the rainbow jersey of Mathieu van der Poel. Many strong Dutch climbers and classics riders will assist the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider in his quest, but not Wout Poels. Despite the climbing-heavy profile, the Dutch coach chose other riders over the 36-year-old rider.

With riders who are not exactly climbers such as Sjoerd Bax, Daan Hoole and Oscar Riesebeek, it's easy to see why Poels would be frustrated about the non-call up: "And yet I am someone who can be present in the finale, on a course like this. Not everyone can say they can do that. And I have never asked to have a protected role for this World Championship."

"I did a period of training at altitude in mid-August, also aimed at the World Championships," he told WielerFlits. "For me that was a seasonal goal. I don’t want to point the finger at anyone, but with a course with all that elevation gain, I can do better than some of the riders who were selected. It’s a shame, because I really wanted to wear the orange colors again. I’ll be angry for more than a few days, but at least I’ll race the Italian autumn classics. I’ll focus on those."

Dutch coach Koos Moerenhout, indirectly called into question by Poels, replies: "There are various reasons why I chose those nine names. In some ways, the Zurich 2024 route recalls Liège, but in others it is closer to an Amstel Gold Race. I expect a very open race and for this I have to find a balance in the team. Everyone has to have their role and I don’t want to call up too many riders with the same characteristics. It’s always a difficult choice, because you have to look not only at the names, but also at the tasks to be carried out."