Team Sky: One in, one out
As Sir Bradley Wiggins leaves Team Sky, Luke Rowe establishes himself with a strong ride in Paris-Roubaix
The king is dead, long live the king. Sir Bradley Wiggins may have failed in his attempt to win a Monument in his last outing for Team Sky but Luke Rowe’s impressive eighth place in Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix showed his potential to be a future winner of the Hell of the North.
Still only 25, Rowe is almost 10 years younger than Wiggins and is just under four seasons’ experience short of fellow Welshman Geraint Thomas. This was undoubtedly Rowe’s best ever performance despite riding from half-distance with a wrecked wheel.
“The front wheel was really buckled. I opened the [brake release] lever all the way and rode most of the race with just a rear brake,” he explained.
Luke Rowe: eighth in Roubaix a sign of things to come
Luke Rowe believes that his eighth place finish in Paris-Roubaix today points to the possibility of future success in the
With Wiggins and Thomas as joint team leaders, Rowe wasn’t even upgraded to a top slot until Geraint crashed out with 80km to go — as Rowe put it: “Sometimes someone else’s bad luck is your own good luck.”
He revelled in his promoted role, fighting to the end, attacking the chase group inside the final four kilometres with Jens Debusschere and then outsprinting the Belgian at the Roubaix velodrome. A truly courageous effort that bodes well for the future.
“That’s a wrap on the Classics. Best races of the year. Now for a beer,” announced our new hero, Rowe, on Twitter. No one can say he didn’t deserve it.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Robert Garbutt is editor of Cycling Weekly
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
Tweets of the week: Pogačar can be beaten, Pidcock meets the royals, and Remco's an Arsenal fan
Sadly for Tadej Pogačar, serial winning doesn't seem to apply to go karting
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Friday roundup: Rapha does sportswear, Oakley meets PNS and Restrap makes a vest
Two new clothing lines, some hi-tech smart glasses and a hydration vest to inspire you to ride further
By Luke Friend Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Bradley Wiggins might not be a TV pundit for much longer: 'I just want a normal job really'
Tour de France champion says that he doesn't still want to be on Eurosport in 10 years, and he thought about being a social worker
By Adam Becket Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated