Wout Poels starts his season in the Tour of Oman as leader of Team Sky. After a long training camp with former Tour de France winner Chris Froome, the Limburger “is ready for his first race of the season," he says to Dagblad De Limburger.

"Before, I was actually always with the Vacansoleil team leader, but now I have for the first time a team at my disposal. But strangely enough, that a rider like Vasil Kiryienka should work for me. That creates expectations, but it mainly gives me a kick" he says in this paper. Oman is the only race where Poels is separated from Froome. "Furthermore, I ride exactly the same program as him, which is very important in view of the Tour.”