Still opportunities for sprinters at Team Sky despite GC focus, says Danny van Poppel
Despite big ambitions in Grand Tours and stage races overall, sprinters can still find good opportunities at Team Sky, says Dutch sprinter van Poppel

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Team Sky is still a great sell for sprinters despite the team’s inherent focus on Grand Tour general classification success, according to fast-man Danny van Poppel.
Van Poppel started his season with the team at the Tour Down Under this week, finishing third behind Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) at the end of stage four on Friday.
>>> How Team Sky will treat their young riders differently in 2017
“We didn’t do much wrong today, I have to go faster,” he said after the undulating 149.5km run to Campbelltown.
“It’s getting better and better. We have some Colombians and a small Frenchman, so they need to stay behind me [in the sprint train] but they try to help. Luke [Rowe] is my last man, he is good in the lead-out and he showed it today.
"Ian [Stannard] and G [Geraint Thomas] are really strong guys and they can handle bikes really well.”
Sky is a hotbed for Tour de France title success but has marked short affairs with sprinters, who have left for greater opportunity and support elsewhere.
Mark Cavendish departed after a season with his ‘home’ squad, while Ben Swift, albeit following a seven-year tenure, has joined UAE Abu Dhabi in 2017.
“There are not so many sprinters, like Elia Viviani and me, but it’s really good,” van Poppel said. “When someone is in better shape we go for that rider. Some teams, they go only for a rider because of what he did in the past.
“When Team Sky ask you to join, you join. Not a lot of riders will say no,” he continued. “I’ll get my chances here. I’m not only a sprinter, I can work also for the team.”
Watch: Highlights of Tour Down Under stage four
Van Poppel joined Sky in 2016 and this year is due to undergo an elevated race programme that will include working for Viviani at Milan-San Remo as well as starts at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Nice.
“At Milan-San Remo we’re going for Elia, but I know that race suits me really well for the future so I’m looking forward to seeing it,” he said.
The 23-year-old has one more shot at line honours in Australia at the sixth and final stage of the Tour Down Under on Sunday.
Ewan has so far proved unbeatable in the bunch sprints at the race, which Van Poppel on Friday attributed to the Australian’s early season start, which already includes a criterium series and national championships.
“This is my first race [of the season], and he is already busy for a long time. My shape is getting better and better. This is a good warm-up,” van Poppel said.
Sky entered the Tour Down Under with a two-prong approach that included van Poppel for stage victories and a title bid with Sergio Henao.
Henao lost time on the first hilltop finish of the contest on Wednesday, suffering a double puncture. The Colombian is 33 seconds down on leader Richie Porte (BMC), however, has not ruled out a podium finish ahead of Saturday’s queen stage to Willunga.
Thank you for reading 20 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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.
-
-
We need you! Nominations for 2023 Cycling Weekly awards open
Nominate your club or a local volunteer to recognise the best in British cycling
By Simon Richardson Published
-
Cycling keeps you fit but are you doing enough to stay healthy?
It’s possible to be very fit in one specific way, for example being fast on a bike, while being unhealthy in other ways
By Joe Laverick Published
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
By Vern Pitt Published
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Disappointed on stage one, pleased with stage two: Tom Pidcock gaining confidence at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers rider satisfied with performance on the road to San Sebastián after difficult opening stage
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Beating the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard to a Tour de France stage would be ‘a step up’
Ineos Grenadiers rider heads into second Tour aiming for general classification and stage wins
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Egan Bernal heads back to Tour de France 'ambitious' but 'realistic'
The 2019 winner is targeting general classification at his first Tour since life-threatening accident
By Adam Becket Published