Did Wout Poels miss the stage 17 breakaway? Or did he have insider information?

Wout Poels keeps delivering in the Giro d'Italia. The Dutchman of Unibet Rose Rockets finished on Tuesday atop the tough Carì climb as the second-best Dutchman, in tenth place. It was already Poels’ third top-ten finish in this Giro d’Italia.

Afterwards, he spoke to Sander Kleikers of Eurosport. Many expected Poels to be in the fight for the early breakaway, but he let that one pass him by on Tuesday in Switzerland.

Why, exactly? "I had asked my sources at Visma | Lease a Bike, Sepp Kuss and Victor Campenaerts. They both said they wanted to go for the stage, and you could see that straight away when the attacks started," Poels explained to Eurosport .

"Visma were keeping a really solid pace, and I think Jonas therefore won," the 38-year-old continued. "It was a very nice race as well. A lovely little loop through Switzerland with a beautiful final climb. I rode well and could pace myself nicely".

What’s more, Poels rode to a top-ten finish while going wheel to wheel with former pink jersey holder Afonso Eulálio on the final climb. A nod to his former Bahrain Victorious team-mate? "Eulálio is a nice lad and we often talk in the race. If I can pace, you might as well take a few pulls".

On Wednesday, Poels may already get another chance. "We still have a week left and it’s going well. I’m going to study it this evening".

Unibet Rose Rockets took to Instagram to highlight the achievement of the Giro's 'elder statesman', who is riding his 26th (!), and likely last, Grand Tour.

"The oldest rider in the Giro d'Italia peloton still gets butterflies from cycling. And honestly, so do we watching you, Wout Poels! Already Wout’s third top 🔟 of this year’s Giro. And we’re not done yet."

Three top 10 rides at the grand old age of 38 is quite the achievement. And it would be fair to say that many fans are hoping to see an active Wout Poels going for more at the end of this Giro d'Italia.