Luke Rowe gunning for Paris-Roubaix after impressive ride at the Tour of Flanders
The Welshman says he took a massive step forward at Sunday's Tour of Flanders, and now looks ahead to the Hell of the North next week


Luke Rowe's fifth place in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday was the best British performance since Tom Simpson and Barry Hoban in the 1960s. Ahead of Paris-Roubaix, Rowe says it was "massive" to race so well in Belgium.
The Team Sky man rode in the second chase group behind solo winner Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and took second in the sprint for fourth behind 2015 winner Alexander Kristoff (Katusha).
"I've done four of these so far and this is the most difficult one so far for me," Rowe said in Oudenaarde with the Flemish grit still showing on his face.
"A big step forward? For me personally, that was a pretty big ride, that was massive for me. I'm happy."
Simpson won Belgium's Monument in 1961, 55 years ago, and placed third in 1963. Top 10s followed infrequently since.
Rowe's result was the best since Hoban's fifth in 1967. Hoban also placed seventh in 1969. Max Sciandri rode to ninth in 1995 and seventh in 2001. Roger Hammond placed seventh in 2010. Geraint Thomas (Team Sky), who rode to 12th on Sunday, took 10th in 2011 and eighth in 2014.
Rowe says that he is stronger than ever in 2016. He placed fourth in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad at the end of February and in Ghent-Wevelgem last Sunday, he just missed the winning group with Peter Sagan and placed 22nd.
Watch: Paris-Roubaix essential guide
In the Three Days of De Panne, he placed fifth in the opening stage and matched it yesterday. The recent rides bode well for Paris-Roubaix on Sunday.
"I haven't held back here," Rowe said. "Nothing's going to change and the form I have now, will be the form I'm going to have next week."
In the 'Hell of the North' over France's cobbled farm roads to Roubaix, Sky's leadership will change. Instead of riding in the second string, Rowe will lead the team with Ian Stannard.
Thomas will return to stage racing and Michal Kwiatkowski will back off before the Ardennes Classics in two weeks.
Former world champion Kwiatkowski led Sky yesterday with Thomas as a second option. Kwiatkowski made the move that pulled out eventual winner Sagan at 32.5km to race. However, on the Kwaremont climb 15km later, Kwiatkowski drifted behind Sagan.
"I felt that I was missing something on the Taaienberg, so I decided to move soon because I was sure I wouldn't be able to follow Fabian Cancellara on the Kwaremont or Paterberg," Kwiatkowski said.
"I tried to do something different. It was a nice move, but in the end, I wasn't able to keep Peter's wheel. Being in this move, being without energy is nothing to be happy about. We tried to win this race with team Sky."
After a regrouping behind, Rowe said that Sky gave him the green light to try for fourth place. He took fifth and confidence needed for Scheldeprijs on Wednesday and the big one, Paris-Roubaix, on Sunday.
Thank you for reading 5 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.
-
-
“That was f***king hard!” Annemiek van Vleuten reacts after winning stage four of the Giro Donne
The Dutch rider warns that she is not in her best shape yet after arriving at the race from an altitude camp.
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
The best 4th of July cycling deals
Save big on apparel, accessories, tools with these 4th of July cycling deals!
By Cycling Weekly • Published
-
Egan Bernal takes next step of his comeback at altitude training camp in Andorra
The Tour de France and Giro d’Italia winner on the road to recovery after horror crash in January
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Those climber guys can ride over the cobbles these days’ - Fabian Cancellara predicts a fast paced opening week at the Tour de France
Cancellara has won the opening stage of the Tour de France five times and knows the importance of a strong opening week
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I had proper fever and chills' - Adam Yates bounces back from Covid for Tour de France
British rider heads to fifth Tour de France as one of Ineos Grenadiers' leader, but with doubts over form
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I’m just going to try and enjoy myself' — Geraint Thomas readies himself for his 12th Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers are targeting the yellow jersey with Thomas, Adam Yates and Dani Martínez
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Dismiss Geraint Thomas at your peril' — Bradley Wiggins sees Welshman as Tour de France 'underdog'
Ineos Grenadiers rider will head to Tour off the back of Tour de Suisse win
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Covid threatens to disrupt Tour de France line-up
Virus sweeps through the peloton at key preparation races with Tour de Suisse race leader Vlasov forced to abandon
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Adam Yates out of Tour de Suisse with covid
Brit returns a positive test for coronavirus but the rest of Ineos Grenadiers will race on in Switzerland.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Can anyone stop the Jumbo juggernaut? Five talking points from the Critérium du Dauphiné
Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič are the best at the French race, but the Tour de France is another level up
By Adam Becket • Published