Wout Poels laments lost victory after final corner crash in Abu Dhabi (video)
The Dutchman was leading into the final corner before disaster struck and destroyed his chances of victory at the Abu Dhabi Tour
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky's Wout Poels was on his way to win stage three of the Abu Dhabi Tour and the overall classification tomorrow when the race finishes in the United Arab Emirates's capital, but went too fast into the last corner at the top of the Jebel Hafeet summit finish and saw his bike slip from underneath him.
Colombian Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge), who led for most of the final kilometres, maintained his spot and continued for the win and red leader's jersey at 1,025m.
Poels picked himself up, with scrapes on his left side, and placed third behind Fabio Aru (Astana) at 12 seconds.
With a flat stage tomorrow on Abu Dhabi's Formula One circuit, Chaves should win the race overall.
The Dutchman who helped Chris Froome to his second Tour de France victory in July, yelled expletives a couple of times after the finish, but quickly regained his composer at the team’s car.
"I think it was the paint, I don't know," Poels said after looking at his scrapes.
"I felt I was flying, so I really fucked up because I would've won the stage and overall maybe.
"I knew it was a really sharp corner, but Chaves is not that slow so I thought that if I was first in the corner than I should normally win. You go fast in a climb, and in a corner, you don't brake."
Watch: Secrets of the toolbox - Orica-GreenEdge
Not easing off in the last 80 metres before a left-hand turn appeared to cost Poels. He slipped, which seemed to be on the white paint, and landed on his left side.
He raced for the stage win after catching Chaves in the last kilometre, right before the 11km climb descended briefly. He attacked on the slight uphill kick to the line and led into the final corner, which cost him dearly.
25-year-old Chaves, who won two stages in the Vuelta a España, looks ready to win the race overall tomorrow. However, he recognised Poels bad luck by not celebrating when he crossed the line.
"Astana attacked really early, they tried really early. My legs were almost over!" Chaves explained.
"Poels caught me, in the last corner he missed it and crashed. I didn't put my hands in the air because it wouldn’t have been correct for him."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Jess Roberts doubles up at British Track Championships as 19 year-old sprinter topples Olympian
Comeback queen wins her first solo national title in the scratch race
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Extinction Rebellion stages anti-Shell protest at British Track Champs
Two people carried a banner through the stands at Newport's Geraint Thomas National Velodrome
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign their first female rider
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot reported to be joining new Ineos mountain bike team, alongside Tom Pidcock
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel transfer to Ineos Grenadiers is ‘too stupid for words’ says Patrick Lefevere
Lefevere revealed he has been laughing at speculation around the new world champion
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign unknown 18-year-old Michael Leonard
Canadian is the latest young rider to join the British squad
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign 18 year-old time trial and track talent Josh Tarling
The 18-year-old is a two-time Welsh national track champion, and finished second in the 2021 junior worlds time trial
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Ineos set to launch new Kenyan cycling academy with Eliud Kipchoge - the first man to run a marathon under two hours
The multinational chemicals company will work in partnership with Ineos Grenadiers and Eliud Kipchoge
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated
-
Have you heard the one about why Australian track riders dye their hair blonde? Ineos Grenadiers's Luke Plapp reveals all as he seeks world track and road glory
The Ineos Grenadiers youngster is expected to be one of the peloton's strongest time triallists in the ensuing seasons
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published