Wout Poels confident of place on Sky's Tour de France squad despite four months out with injury
Key domestique only returned to action at Route du Sud after knee injury
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Team Sky's Wout Poels says that he is confident of being selected to support Chris Froome at the Tour de France, despite having only ridden one race since February.
The Dutchman, who was a key domestique in Froome's 2016 Tour triumph, suffered a knee injury at the Ruta del Sol in mid-February, putting him out of action for a number of months until he returned at the Route du Sud last week.
However despite this lengthy spell on the sidelines, Poels remains upbeat about making Sky's nine-man squad.
>>> Team Sky's Tour de France team: which nine riders will make the cut?
"I'm confident that I'm in the team," Poels told De Telegraf (opens in new tab). "The progress has been clearly visible in recent weeks.
"As one of Froome's domsetiques, I do not have to be good on the first day. Instead I have to be fresh in the third week in the Alps."
Watch: Tour de France contenders - Chris Froome
Poels completed the four-day Route du Sud race in the Pyrenees, where he worked in support of Kenny Elissonde who finished third overall.
>>> Wout Poels has to prove form at Route du Sud if he wants to race Tour de France
"I'll stay in the Pyrenees for a few days now to explore some of the climbs," he continued "Those are signs that the team trust in me.
"It has also been mentioned that I will will also start in Vuelta a España. Because I've been out for three months, that might be a good idea as I'll still be fresh."
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Tom Pidcock unsure whether he will defend cyclocross world title in 2023
“I don’t know yet, crossing in the winter and being good in the classics is a difficult combination” Pidcock said
By Tom Thewlis • Published