Luke Rowe 'back to best' despite disappointment of Tour of Flanders disqualification
Welshman Luke Rowe says that his disqualification from the Tour of Flanders has fired him up for next weekend's Paris-Roubaix
Team Sky road captain Luke Rowe had a bittersweet day at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, demonstrating form which convinced him he is fully recovered from multiple leg fractures last August – despite getting disqualified from the race.
Rowe said he had been at the back of the main group of favorites when he said a touch of wheels caused him and a couple of other riders to have to jump onto the bike-path alongside the road.
“It was either go on the bike path or crash,” he said.
>>> Luke Rowe disqualified from Tour of Flanders: ‘I’m just gutted’
“It wasn’t as if I tried to fly through people, I got back onto the road at the back of the group and took the next right-hander at the back, which is the worst place to be.”
But the race commissaries, having seen him among spectators on the bike path, pulled him from the race.
Up until that point Rowe had been a constant presence at the front of the race, most covering other team’s moves or protecting team-mate Michal Kwiatkowski. He said: “I think I’m back to my best, I felt good the whole day.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
He added: “To be in the final of Flanders, one of the biggest races of the year, in a group of 30 after all the fighting throughout the day and the fighting throughout the last six months and to get pulled out of the race, it’s a tough one to take.”
Rowe added that he had had his eye on racing Flanders throughout his recovery from multiple fractures to his leg sustained on his brother’s stag weekend last August.
He said: “I’ve got a week until Paris-Roubaix and this disqualification just feeds the fire.”
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
Having trained as a journalist at Cardiff University I spent eight years working as a business journalist covering everything from social care, to construction to the legal profession and riding my bike at the weekends and evenings. When a friend told me Cycling Weekly was looking for a news editor, I didn't give myself much chance of landing the role, but I did and joined the publication in 2016. Since then I've covered Tours de France, World Championships, hour records, spring classics and races in the Middle East. On top of that, since becoming features editor in 2017 I've also been lucky enough to get myself sent to ride my bike for magazine pieces in Portugal and across the UK. They've all been fun but I have an enduring passion for covering the national track championships. It might not be the most glamorous but it's got a real community feeling to it.
-
8 odd, quirky and cool tech innovations spotted at the Sea Otter Classic
A kevlar wheel, an unusual aero bike, solid helmet straps, a bike made from recycled plastic bike, and more - 8 odd, quirky and cool tech innovations spotted at the Sea Otter Classic
By Daniel Palma Published
-
Cycling training plans: 10 week plans for beginners, intermediates and racers
Get into cycling, get fitter, or ride faster with our cycling training plans
By Anna Marie Abram Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Elisa Longo Borghini pips Kasia Niewiadoma on the line to win second Tour of Flanders
In-form Italian praises Lidl-Trek team after repeating feat she achieved in 2015
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It's one of the hardest races I've ever done' - Mathieu van der Poel on his historic Tour of Flanders victory
World champion becomes seventh man in history to win the race three times
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel wins record-equalling third Tour of Flanders with 45km attack
Dutchman pulls off audacious long-range coup to claim Monument victory
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Wout van Aert’s Classics dreams go up in smoke, but all is not lost for Visma-Lease a Bike
Attention turns to another promising squad member after their talisman is ruled out of Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Amstel-Gold Race with 'several fractures'
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert 'in a good place' ahead of Tour of Flanders despite Visma-Lease a Bike illness and injury crisis
Loss of Christophe Laporte and Dylan van Baarle 'a big blow' says DS Grischa Niermann as team builds for Monument double header
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Five things to look out for ahead of the Tour of Flanders
Lidl-Trek's impressive form and Mathieu van der Poel's explosive start to the Classics season could make for quite the contest this weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published