It was a pleasure to see Wout Poels eventually recovering from a dramatic crash he suffered during the 2012 edition of Tour de France after he joined Omega Pharma-Quick Step this year, as the 26-year old Dutchman gradually built his disposition throughout sprint to shine while riding in a support of Rigoberto Uran in his so far faultless Giro d’Italia campaign. Current condition of the Limburg-born rider suggests that he has a real shot for a top fifteen in the general classification of season’s first three-week event, but he is ready to give up on personal ambitions this time to see his Colombian leader clad in the coveted maglia rosa.

Poels has shown visible signs of increasing form while riding for Michał Kwiatkowski at Vuelta al Pais Vasco to take season’s first victory on its queen stage after dictating too firce pace for his own leader to withstand. The situation is very unlikely to be repeated this time around, however, as the 26-year old Dutchman is ready to put his personal ambitions on a side track to support Uran in his more and more realistic bid for a podium result in the Giro d’Italia general classification.

Even though the peloton’s first randez-vous with Italian mountains couldn’t have been enough to make very decisive predictions there were several occasions to lose the race prematurely, Omega Pharma-Quick Step enjoyed so far an almost faultless Giro campaign. In such circumstances, young Poels insisted to be pleased with gaining experience while working for Uran and claimed that the 27-year old Colombian is strong enough to fight for a victory in the Italian grand tour.

“Given the impression he makes on me now, it’s [maglia rosa] within his reach. He rides uphill effortlessly and uses the team to control the situation just well,” Poels told NU.nl.

Therefore, the 26-year old Dutchman is not too concerned about his own result in overall standings, focusing all his efforts on the first ever Omega Pharma-Quick Step GC campaign.

“Until now I managed to climb well by his side, but the most essential thing is to maintain his high position in the general classification.”

Despite lining-up as Bradley Wiggins’ domestique at the Giro last year, the 27-year old Colombian saved the race for Team Sky to finish runner-up to unattainable Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). Without any rider or team dominating the Italian event this time around, the race appears to be a far more open affair, but Poels pointed out to two riders who, taking Uran aside, impressed him most.

“Evans and Pozzovivo made a strong impression indeed, but they still can suffer time losses in the final week. That mountain stages are going to be really exhausting and will strike everyone with tired legs.”

While Poels is currently satisfied with a role of Uran’s domestique, he admitted that it’s just another step in his development as he aims to use gained experience as a grand tour contender in the future,

“I’m only 26 and I learn by watching how Uran does all of it. I like to help him an awful lot, but it’s not the only thing I’m aiming to do in years to come.”

After struggling with his health last two seasons, Omega Pharma-Quick Step offered Poels a one-year contract, but as the Belgian squad for the Giro is rumored to be perfectly united around their Colombian leader, the lean Dutchman expects his deal to be extended.

“They have Uran under contract for longer period, so in that respect. But I’d prefer my legs to speak for themselves.”