Ghent-Wevelgem performance gives Luke Rowe hope ahead of Tour of Flanders
The Welshman says there can "be a bit of excitement going into Flanders"
Team Sky's Luke Rowe created a spark in the team heading towards one of the biggest spring races on the calendar, the Tour of Flanders on Sunday.
After a quiet day on Friday in the E3 BinckBank Classic, he fired away in Ghent-Wevelgem on Sunday. On the roads south in Flanders near the French border, he soloed away from the group to join the leading four with Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott).
>>> Elia Viviani disappointed after failing to finish off Quick-Step work at Ghent-Wevelgem
"Now, I think there can be a bit of excitement going into Flanders," Rowe said.
The Welshman eventually finished 18th as Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) won the race from a sprint.
The Tour of Flanders this Sunday starts in Antwerp, covers several of the famous climbs including the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg before its finish in Oudenaarde. Rowe knows the course well, having finished fifth in 2016.
Team Sky would have been happier with the performance in Ghent-Wevelgem having returned to the sharp end 48 hours after a puncture destroyed the E3 for Ian Stannard and the other riders including Rowe and Gianni Moscon who flew mostly under the radar.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Rowe joined the super group of 18 riders when Jumbo-Visma splintered the race in the crosswinds, with the early hours raced at over 50kph. That group broke up after the first ascent of the Kemmelberg and, not happy to miss it, Rowe later launched a solo attack of seven kilometres to join the four.
"I lost a year of my life there!" he continued. "Those four had gone clear and I'd kind of missed the boat which was disappointing. After the gravel roads I just sensed everyone was on their knees. I still had a little bit of gas left so I thought I'd hit out on a little climb and hopefully bring one or two with me. Then you look around and you're on your own!"
He was there before the second time up the Kemmelberg, but pressure from behind saw the main group with Kristoff return. Rowe launched one more time solo, but his chances ended 17km from the finish in Wevelgem.
"It's nice to bounce back. Through Paris-Nice and San Remo it's all gone pretty well and I felt good," he said. "For some reason or another E3 was just a massive fail for me and I was quite disappointed actually. I was quite keen to put things right this morning."
Rowe he made the mark he wanted before the two big monuments, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix the following Sunday.
He added: "Just to be at the front and have good legs and sensations is the important thing before the coming weeks."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published