Wout Poels Extends Professional Cycling Career to 19th Season
Veteran rider Wout Poels commits to Unibet Rose Rockets for his final professional year.
1Professional Career Extension
Wout Poels has officially confirmed he will continue his professional cycling career into a 19th season during 2027. The 39-year-old rider will remain with the French-registered ProTeam, Unibet Rose Rockets. This decision follows a successful 2026 campaign where Poels maintained high performance levels and a strong personal passion for the sport.
2Team Context and Ownership
The Unibet Rose Rockets team is currently approaching its fifth season within the professional peloton. Owned by Bas Tietema, Josse Wester, and Devin van der Wiel, the squad originated from a popular YouTube channel. The roster features 26 riders, including notable sprinter Dylan Groenewegen, as they target prestigious invitations for major cycling events.
3Motivation and Performance
Poels attributes his decision to continue racing to his genuine enjoyment of training camps and the competitive environment. He emphasized that his ability to remain in the mix for results, such as his fourth-place finish at the Sibiu Tour, validates his choice. He maintains that performance levels remain the primary factor.
4Grand Tour Ambitions
The team is actively seeking invitations for the 2027 Giro d'Italia and their first-ever Tour de France appearance. Poels, who has completed 26 Grand Tours throughout his career, views these races as the pinnacle of the sport. He aims to reach a milestone of 27 Grand Tour starts during the upcoming season.
5Recent Competitive Results
During the 2026 season, Poels demonstrated his climbing capabilities by finishing eighth on the challenging mountain stage to Pila at the Giro d'Italia. He also secured a seventh-place overall finish at the Arctic Race of Norway. These results prove he can still compete effectively against top-tier general classification favorites in professional races.
6Mentorship and Experience
Beyond his individual results, Poels serves as a vital mentor for the younger riders on the Unibet Rose Rockets roster. Having previously excelled as a super domestique during the Team Sky era, he provides invaluable tactical knowledge. His presence helps bridge the gap between experienced veterans and the team's developing talent pool.
7Statistical Career Goals
Poels is currently motivated by a unique personal goal to secure a race victory for his current team. Achieving this would maintain his streak of winning at least one race with every professional team he has represented. He has been a consistent professional since 2011, when he first gained prominence at Vacansoleil-DCM.
8Future Outlook Uncertain
Although 2027 is currently designated as his final year, Poels has not definitively ruled out extending his career into a 20th season. He noted that the door remains slightly open depending on his physical condition and motivation. For now, he remains focused on enjoying the process and achieving strong general classification results.
Original article: Cyclingnews — Wout Poels Extends Professional Cycling Career to 19th Season