Neilson Powless: The All-Rounder Navigating a New Era of Cycling
Neilson Powless is entering his ninth season in the World Tour, and he’s a rider who embodies adaptability in a rapidly changing sport. He’s a versatile competitor, capable of winning one-day classics and challenging in stage races, and he’s keenly aware of how the landscape of professional cycling has been reshaped, especially by the influence of Tadej Pogačar.
A Symbiotic Relationship with Ben Turner
Powless enjoys a unique and mutually beneficial relationship with teammate Ben Turner. “We both help each other and it pushes us both further,” he explains. “We are both sort of underdogs in the races we do. When Ben is racing the Tour or the Ardennes Tadej is almost always there and he is the favorite.” They understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses,with Powless happily supporting Turner when he’s the team leader,and Turner reciprocating when Powless has the possibility to shine.
Their physical capabilities complement each other. Turner maintains consistent power output throughout long stages, while Powless’s sustained power diminishes over time, but his short-burst power remains strong. “That’s why races which are really grinders are a bit more suited to him. Races which are going to have five to twenty minute efforts towards the end of the race are great for him. But races which are decided on one to three minute climbs are suited quite well to me becuase I almost never lose that one to three minute power.” This allows them to strategically target different races, knowing they can rely on each other for support. “If that means Ben helps me in San Sebastian, then great. If it means I help him in the Ardennes, then great. I think we are both confident enough and are both good cyclists and will get opportunities. If we are at our best we will be racing for the win in whatever race suits us.”
The Pogačar Effect: A Revolution in Racing
Powless acknowledges the profound impact Tadej Pogačar has had on the sport. “Tadej changed the way bike races are raced,” he states. Before Pogačar, races had specific “crux points.” Now, the pace is relentlessly high from start to finish. “400 watts used to be the golden number. Do 400 watts for 20 minutes and you were in the top 10 of any climbing, mountainous race in the world. Now that is what we are doing all day every day.”
Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates has the depth to sustain this high tempo,with a team capable of riding at an incredibly high level for extended periods. “In the Tour de France they have a team of seven riders who can do seven hours over five or six climbs at 20 minutes at 6.5 watts per kilo and still be able to ramp the pace up on the final climb to launch Tadej,” Powless explains.This combination of talent and team strength allows Pogačar to dictate the terms of the race.
The response to Pogačar’s dominance has led to more aggressive tactics. “Because of that you also have riders trying to react and trying to adjust to the way they are racing. That just means attacking with 120 and 130km to go and just throwing Hail Mary’s, which you can say is more exciting then it used to be.”
Looking Ahead: Monuments and Roubaix
Powless has enterprising goals for 2026. He aims to win a monument and achieve a top-10 finish in Paris-Roubaix. He’s already achieved top-10 finishes in all the monuments and World Championships, a feat accomplished by very few riders in recent history.
He’s eager to experience Roubaix,acknowledging the element of luck involved in the notoriously challenging race. “If you look at [mathieu] van der Poel you wouldn’t think there is any luck involved at all but from my personal perspective there is a lot of luck involved in terms of mechanicals and crashes.”
Family and Balance
Beyond cycling, Powless prioritizes his family. He and his wife, Frances, recently welcomed their second child, a son named Remy, joining their daughter Charlotte. “I am a dad.I have two kids at home. I don’t have time to be that engaging. I am a pretty open book. I pretty much commit all my time off the bike to being a dad and I love doing that as well.” He hopes to instill a passion for sports in his children, sharing the joy cycling has brought to his life.