Powless single-handedly cracked Visma | LaB's trio code: "Never in a million years"
Cycling
One against three was the final score in the Dwars door Vlaanderen. Neilson Powless was up against Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot, and Matteo Jorgenson, but surprised everyone in the sprint and miraculously sprinted to victory in Waregem. Afterward, the American from EF Education-EasyPost was still in disbelief.
"I really can't believe it," Powless began his story in the flash interview. "I felt excellent today but didn't think I could win in that group." After the Visma | Lease a Bike acceleration, Powless found himself in a leading group of four, including three men from the Dutch team. "I thought I was riding for second place. I really can't believe it; I'm just so happy. I want to thank my family, my team, and everyone who supports me."
It was a victory that was more than welcome for Powless, as the American had not yet reached the expected level this spring. He could not compete for victory in Milan-Sanremo (37th) or the E3 Saxo Classic (64th). "It's been a tough spring so far, but I'm glad to be back where I belong today."
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"I thought they would be betting on him," Powless said of Van Aert
Powless had to beat Van Aert to win the Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, as Visma | Lease a Bike was expected to set him up for the sprint in the final. "I thought Wout would be the strongest in the sprint, so they would really be betting on him. I didn't think I could beat him in the sprint in a million years. I entered the last corner at a considerable speed, 3 or 4 kilometers per hour faster than Wout. I just went full throttle to the finish line because there wasn't much space between that last corner and the finish. So I had to start my sprint immediately and hope for the best," Powless laughs.
"I wasn't sure either, and my sports director and I were discussing whether I should ride. There were still quite a few riders behind us," the American recalls the course of the race. Yet he ultimately decided to join the chase. "I felt good, and I especially enjoyed the cobblestones. I didn't feel like sprinting from a larger group. It also didn't feel like I had to force myself too much to keep up. Otherwise, they would have attacked. I was a rock in a hard place, but I'm proud of how I rode."
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Powless motivated for the Tour of Flanders: "Hope to compete for the win"
Even though Powless has previously won the Clasica San Sebastian, the American is convinced of the importance of this victory. "This is the biggest victory of my life," says Powless, heading towards the Tour of Flanders this Sunday with a tremendous boost. "I hope I can compete for the win, or at least for a place on the podium. In these races, you need a bit of luck, but you also need to have faith. I have certainly gained some of that today."
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Latest Comments
- Such negative comments that are truly inappropriate and actually ridiculous. He sounds like an old man, bitter that he can't race anymore. Why can't he just be gracious? Or just shut up. Instead of howling for attention, in such a rude manner. Must be Dementia creeping in. We are all living in the Now. Records are there, and some are being broken, some are unapproachable. If he doesn't like it, and it makes him sick, maybe he ought start watching some other sport. Don't want the old mans health to be upset.
reemmo031-03-2025 - Roger De Vlaeminck inspires me to create a new beer: "Bitter Old Twat Belgian".JackInhof31-03-2025
- Shoot, I'll ride it for 1/10 of what his pay for that day is😅Veganpotter30-03-2025
- What is this? The Lance Armstrong daily cheaters channel? I could care less about Johan and Lance the seven times cheater. Greg Lemond was right all along, Why don't you write about that instead of these two knuckleheads.velodrone28-03-2025
- Are we all doomed to hear from Lance Armstrong and Johan bruneel until the end of time? It's not enough the stain they left on cycling? Do we have to see that shadow forever?bigyakman26-03-2025
- I am not sure if it is the hardest to win. In Flanders and Roubaix well before the finish the Peleton will be decimated and the race will normally be won by the best rider of the day or maybe 2nd or 3rd in case of a mechanical or unlucky break especially in case of Roubaix. In San Remo just before the finish there will still be several riders in contention and they are hard to ditch. For the best riders it is a race hard to win since it is not so selective. But if you are not a top 5 rider but still a top 10 rider this race is your best change to win. You will see more Milan San remo Winners with only 1 monument win than any other monumentsJoostmehrtens19-03-2025
- "fap fap fap oh Lance oh oh OHHHHHHH" again. Does he pay you to dredge up people with nice things to say about him? He was an giant a$$hole to people. It is a fact. Whatever his contrition about the doping, he is unapologetic about being a giant a$$hole to people. (Why yes, I do only login to complain. *I* am however only a giant a$$hole to people who laud giant a$$holes.)ericjensenridesbikes25-02-2025
- Remco is still very young. And injuries can absolutely keep you from overdoing it and getting worse. The recent Remco accident didn't keep him from being able to ride a recumbent inside. Wout's knee is a different story thoughVeganpotter23-01-2025
- Van der Poel style is winning by a half a lap and leading the race from the end of the second lap.
Barnes127420-01-2025 - If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025