At last he could say. After weeks of silence, Wout Poels confirmed last week what everyone already knew: Team Sky is his new employer. The Weekend Interview with the 27-year old Dutchman explains his choice. 

In late May, Poels rode almost every single Giro d’itaia contnder off his wheel on Monte Zoncolan. Shortly thereafter, he was approached by Team Sky. It took a while before it came around. "At first I was still busy with pay, but after that it went very fast." In August, it was leaked that he would ride in service of the British team. Last week, the transfer was officially announced but until then, he could say nothing.

"That was sometimes a little bit tricky," admits the Dutch climber. "Ideally, you want to be shouting it from the rooftops. The team made five acquisitions at once and I think that's why they waited. The others were probably not all in order. It was a bit annoying that I could say nothing about it, but eventually it worked out. "

Poels himself did little to worry about his future. "There was also interest from other teams. I could additionally extend my contract with Omega Pharma–Quick Step. But you only have one team to ride for, so it was enough!” The coveted rider wouldn’t go into details about who contacted him, but he acknowledged that Belkin were interested.

The choice was not difficult after all. "Although I am currently sitting in a very nice team and I really enjoyed my time there, I am now a new adventure. But I stand by my decision and am very happy with Team Sky. They make you a better rider and that really appeals to me. With this team, they have a lot of experience around work. They have twice won the Tour de France with two different riders. Team Sky is really focused on classifications. I think they are the best team to help me develop. For me, that did it.”

Poels believes the British team may be better than his current employer. "I certainly hope so. Otherwise I would not have made this step. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step is still more of a classic team, although they are now trying to help Uran in stage races. But I chose Team Sky because they can help me." 

The ultimate aim is to get top 5 in smaller stage races for Poels while helping out in the grand Tours. "Think of the Tour of the Basque Country, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Poland. Hopefully I'll get that opportunity there. I signed a contract for two years. So I can really work somewhere. I hope I can deliver."

However, the question is how much freedom is Poels going to get. Team Sky possesses many climbers. "The competition is indeed strong, but it keeps you sharp. It is also good to be in such a team where I can try to climb and perform in the best possible way. I'll probably also have helpers when I go out with the big men, but that is both an investment in yourself. "

The Limburger has not yet received a commitment that he may be able to race for himself. "The contract has only just been signed. We have yet to discuss it but I will however assume that I can ride in some races for myself. Not in the big tours, but in smaller stage races like the Tour de Romandie,” Any participation in the Tour de France –Starting in Netherlands next year- is not yet discussed. "But I think it would be really nice if I get drafted." 

"A 7.5" replies Poels resolute when asked to rate his season."I had a good spring," he says. He took the queen stage of the Tour of the Basque and he finished tenth in the final standings. ‘The Giro went well, but the Vuelta was slightly less than I hoped for." 

It seemed that he would finish highly in the Giro d’Italia. However, the snow stage with the Stelvio and Gavia caused his biggest bad moment of 2014 "I was a little overcome by the cold and so was much behind." Otherwise the top ten was possible. "Maybe. I was there then, and also very good for the last week. The snow stage was my only bad day, but I immediately lost a lot of time. "

The stage races go well for Poels, but he insure about his ability in the Classics. "It would be nice if there is a change coming. However, I haven’t ridden them recently." admits the 27-year old rider. "With the exception of the Flèche Wallonne, where I was twelfth this year. Hopefully we can improve on this next year. I do not know what the problem is. Maybe I'm just more of a stage racer. In stage races, I'm often better after a few days."

His new team will need to find a solution. Team Sky is known for a scientific approach. "I am very curious. I look forward to going there.” But first it's time for vacation. "I've ridden two Grand Tours this season. Now I need to have rest and recharge my batteries.”