Unibet Rose Rockets Strengthen Grand Tour Ambitions with Poels Signing
Unibet Rose Rockets proudly announces the signing of Wout Poels for the 2026 season. The experienced Dutch climber, who has won in the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, joins the team after seventeen consecutive years at WorldTour level. Known for his exceptional climbing skills and selfless teamwork, Poels will play a key role in helping the Rockets take the next step toward competing with the best on every terrain.
Poels, now 38, brings a wealth of experience to the team. His career not only includes his famous stage victories in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España and a Monumental win at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, but also countless kilometers spent supporting some of the world’s greatest champions.
Over the past years, Poels has raced for some of the biggest teams in professional cycling. From his early breakthrough at Vacansoleil–DCM and his season at Omega Pharma–Quick-Step, to becoming a trusted mountain lieutenant at Team Sky and INEOS during their Tour de France-winning era, he has consistently proven his value on the world’s toughest climbs.
Later, with Bahrain Victorious and most recently XDS Astana Team, Poels combined his role as a road captain with personal success in Grand Tours and one-day races, a rare blend of leadership, resilience, and class.
Team owner Bas Tietema is proud to welcome Poels:
“Signing Wout is another major step in the evolution of our project. He’s one of the most respected riders in the peloton, someone who knows what it takes to win the biggest races and to build a team around long-term goals. Wout brings leadership, calmness, and experience that will be invaluable for our younger riders as we continue to take steps toward competing in Grand Tours.”
“Wout didn’t join us to take it easy. From the first talk, it was clear he wanted to go all-in, not just show up for one last lap. That mentality fits us perfectly, doing things with full commitment, passion, and joy. Having someone with his experience and hunger in the team sends a strong message about where we’re heading.”
Wout Poels himself is looking forward to the new adventure:
“I’ve followed the Rockets project from the beginning and have been impressed by the energy and authenticity of what they do. They’ve brought something fresh to cycling, and I love that combination of ambition and creativity. For me, it’s the perfect environment to share my experience, help the younger riders develop, and chase big results together. I’m excited to play my part in their growth towards their goals and perform in Grand Tours.”
“I’m not here to wind things down. I’m here to give everything I’ve got for one more full season. I still love racing, I still love suffering in the mountains, and I still get that same fire when the road goes uphill. The Rockets’ energy is exactly what I was looking for, one more year to go all-in and enjoy this sport at the highest level.”
