The Limburg climber can look back on this edition with pride. Of course, losing the polka dot jersey hurt. But not as much as what happened on the eve of that last mountain stage to Luz Ardiden.
Police raid
Late on Wednesday evening, he was lifted from his bed by the French police, who raided the hotel of Poels’ Bahrain Victorious team on behalf of the OCLAESP in search of evidence of alleged doping practices.
The Bahrain Victorious spokesperson later stated that the researchers only asked for training data, but the consequences for the riders were still greater. Earlier Dylan Teuns, winner of the Alpine stage to Le Grand Bornand, said that his phone had been taken. And that also applied to Poels.
“They took my phone and my laptop,” said Poels before the final stage to Paris. “Hopefully I’ll get it back soon and I’ll be back online. I was allowed to borrow a phone from a mechanic for the home front, so that was good in itself.”
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