Wout Poels has to prove form at Route de Sud if he wants to race Tour de France

Team Sky's Wout Poels has been told that he must prove his form at next week's Route de Sud if he wants to race the Tour de France in support of Chris Froome

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Wout Poels, one of Chris Froome's key lieutenants, has been told that he must prove his form at next week's Route de Sud if he wants to race the Tour de France.

The Dutchman, in his third year at Team Sky, has endured a frustrating season having not raced because of a knee injury since finishing fourth at the Ruta del Sol in mid-February; he only has 10 race days to his name all season.

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

Chris Marshall-Bell

A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and feature writing across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013.


Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in a number of places, but mostly in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.


He lives in Valencia, Spain.