American cyclist Neilson Powless is setting his sights on a victory at the upcoming Tour of Flanders, aiming to leverage his versatility and team strength to improve on his fifth-place finish in 2023. Powless, who rides for EF Education-EasyPost, believes his ability to excel across various disciplines positions him as a strong contender for the prestigious cobbled Monument.
Speaking in a recent interview, Powless described the Tour of Flanders as a race that demands a “complete cyclist.” He noted, “I’m not the best climber, sprinter, or time trialist, but I’m pretty good at all of them, so I feel like I’m very complete. That is a blessing and a curse, but at Flanders, I think it is a blessing.” Powless’ all-around skillset is expected to be a key factor in his quest for success in the challenging race.
This year, Powless will benefit from the addition of Kasper Asgreen, a former winner of the race, to his team. The American is optimistic that the Danish rider’s experience will bolster EF Education-EasyPost’s chances at Flanders, with both riders sharing leadership duties. Powless emphasized the importance of team tactics in such a demanding race, saying, “Having a few cards to play is really key to success in that race. I mean, I’d love to win, but if there are two of us up there, it’s even better. That means two chances for the team to get a win.”
Powless’ 2023 season was affected by a bout of pneumonia, which kept him sidelined early on. However, the 28-year-old bounced back with a sixth-place finish overall at the Volta ao Algarve. His spring campaign will kick off with Paris-Nice, where he is aiming for a strong performance. “I’m really excited for Paris-Nice,” he said. “I just hope that I have the legs I want so that I can be at the front of that race. I’d like to fight for the podium. If I have the legs I had in the TT on the last day in Portugal, I’m pretty sure I can be competitive on GC and go for the win on one of the stages.”
Powless, who is based in the Nice area, feels his local knowledge will be an advantage as he navigates the terrain of Paris-Nice. “It’s an intense race, and that last stage is especially intense, but it gives me a lot of confidence to know what’s around every corner, which corners you need to be in position for, and for which corners it’s fine to relax. I know every climb down there and I am really excited for it.”
With the spring Classics ahead, Powless’ versatile skill set, combined with his team’s strengthened leadership, makes him one to watch as he targets a breakthrough performance in the Tour of Flanders and beyond.
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