Neilson Powless stunned the cycling world when he outsprinted Wout van Aert to claim victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen. For a rider once earmarked for Grand Tour potential, that triumph marked a bold shift into one-day racing’s elite ranks. His journey blends early versatility with a revealing moment on Tour de France cobbles, culminating in a growing list of classics credentials. As Powless sets his sights on Liège–Bastogne–Liège, his evolution offers a compelling story of self-discovery, resilience, and ambition.
Born on June 5, 1998, in Kona, Hawaii, to Dutch-American parents, Neilson Powless’s cycling roots run deep. He honed his skills in California’s vibrant junior scene before turning professional with EF Education–EasyPost in 2018. Early on, his aptitude for time trials and punchy climbs suggested a future as a general-classification contender. Yet exposure to the cobbles in the 2022 Tour de France shifted his perspective. Embracing that rugged terrain revealed a hidden strength, and set him on the path toward classics stardom.
Key milestones:
These milestones illustrate how each breakthrough performance fueled Powless’s commitment to the classics. By mastering cobbles, climbs and sprints alike, he has forged a new identity on cycling’s toughest one-day courses.
Powless has carried his spring form into 2025 with a series of compelling performances across Belgium’s most demanding races. He continues to fine-tune his preparation, combining targeted training, strategic recovery and a fearless approach to breakaways. As he lines up at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, his recent results suggest that more podiums, and perhaps another legendary win, are within reach.
Recent performances:
These results underscore Powless’s ability to thrive under pressure and seize opportunities in races defined by grit, timing and raw power.
Neilson Powless’s journey from versatile neo-pro to top-tier classics specialist proves that career paths can evolve. By embracing cobbled brutality and mastering one-day tactics, he has transformed early promise into tangible success. As he tackles Liège–Bastogne–Liège and eyes future spring campaigns, Powless embodies a fresh wave of American optimism in the monuments. His rise reminds fans and fellow riders alike that seizing defining moments can rewrite a cyclist’s story, and that the classics still hold room for new legends.