Unibet Rose Rockets has been in the news recently for several reasons. There was the announcement of the new bike and title sponsor ROSE Bikes, the signing of German rider Jannis Peter, and on Wednesday evening, the arrival of Wout Poels was made public. The experienced Dutch climber has since responded to his move.
His name had already been strongly linked to the French team with Dutch roots, but now the deal is officially sealed: Wout Poels will ride for Unibet Rose Rockets in 2026. The 38-year-old Poels—past winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and stages in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España—joins from XDS Astana.
"Giving my all for one more full season"
For the experienced Poels, this will also be the last time he changes teams, he stated in a press release from his new employer. "I want to give my all for one more full season. I’m not here to wind down. I still love racing and I enjoy the suffering in the mountains. I still have that same fire in me as soon as the road goes uphill."
"The energy of this team is exactly what I was looking for. I have followed the project from the beginning and I am truly impressed. They have brought something new to cycling, something fresh. I’m also a fan of the mix of ambition and creativity. It’s the perfect environment for me to share my experience, support younger riders, and chase great results. I can’t wait to contribute and perform in grand tours."
Invaluable asset
"Signing Wout is another big step in the ongoing evolution of our project," summarizes co-founder Bas Tietema on Poels’ transfer. "He is one of the most respected riders in the peloton. He knows what it takes to win at the highest level and to build a team focused on long-term goals. Wout brings leadership, calmness, and experience. That is invaluable in our hunt for participation in grand tours."
"Wout is definitely not coming to our team to take it easy," Tietema adds. "From the first conversation, it was clear that he wants to go all-in. His mentality perfectly fits our team. It paints a clear picture of where we are heading."
