Wout Poels opens up about his to XDS Astana Team and goals for 2025: “That is my big challenge to win a stage in all three Grand Tours”

Wout Poels, the 37-year-old veteran who has achieved prestigious victories at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2016, is entering a new chapter of his career with the XDS Astana Team. Speaking with WielerFlits, Poels reflected on his motivations, past challenges, and ambitions for the upcoming season, including his goal of completing stage victories in all three Grand Tours.

After his departure from Bahrain Victorious, where he faced frustrations last year, Poels spoke candidly about why the move to XDS Astana was the right decision. “At XDS Astana, I have more influence on my own program. It is better to have a motivated rider who has a say in his program than someone who gets everything spoon-fed to him and goes to certain races with a certain reluctance. So yes, for me the choice was quickly made.”

This sense of agency was particularly important to Poels following a disappointing experience in 2024, where he was removed from Bahrain Victorious’s Giro d’Italia squad in favour of riders with different priorities. “I was taken out of the Giro team at the last minute and I never had a very clear reason why. They needed a different type of rider and besides that they could use me well in the Tour de France next to Santiago Buitrago,” he explained. “Let me be honest, I was really upset about that. No, I didn’t shout it from the rooftops. I could have made a lot of noise, but then you’re also shooting yourself in the foot. Although I didn’t feel well for about two weeks because of that decision.”

The removal was particularly frustrating for Poels, who had targeted the Giro as a major goal. “I wanted to show that my form was good at that moment,” he admitted. While he eventually shifted his focus to the Tour de France, where he supported Buitrago, the experience left a lasting impact. “Breaking point is a big word, but that certainly played a role. You make a list of pros and cons and then you also look at other offers. I asked myself the question: ‘What do I still want to do?’”

Looking ahead to 2024 with his new team, Poels is determined to achieve his long-standing goal of winning a stage in all three Grand Tours. “Of course the Giro is the main goal, which I think is still a very realistic goal. That is my big challenge to win a stage in all three Grand Tours. But besides that, I want to ride well in every race. I like to fight for the prizes and I want to get the best out of myself everywhere. Whether that is at WorldTour level or a division lower like last year in Hungary. I am currently having a good winter and I actually want to be there right from the start of the season. Just like I won the Ruta del Sol in 2022.”