Luke Rowe satisfied with 'promising' Classics campaign
Welshman Luke Rowe calls his Classics campaign "close, but no cigar", as a crash ended his chances of contesting victory in Paris-Roubaix on Sunday
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Luke Rowe summed up his Classics campaign as "promising" and “close, but no cigar”, as a crash ruled him out of contention in Paris-Roubaix on Sunday.
The Welshman had been targeting the cobbled Monument all season, and went into the race as joint Sky leader off the back of an impressive fifth place in the Tour of Flanders the week before. However, the 26-year-old got caught in a crash on the Orchies cobbled sector during the race’s closing stages and then punctured, albeit ending his chances of contesting the victory.
Although he was disappointed to finish 14th inside the Roubaix Velodrome, two minutes behind the winner Mat Hayman, Rowe was happy to see progression this year in his performances across the whole Classics campaign.
“Close but no cigar kind of sums up the whole campaign,” the 26-year-old said at the finish in Roubaix. “I’ve been knocking on the door in quite a few of them, but haven’t got a podium in any of them, haven’t quite reached the top.
“Certainly year on year, and if you look at last year compared to this year, it’s pretty promising.”
Team Sky DS Servais Knaven talks about the squad's result at Paris-Roubaix
Rowe was one of five Sky riders in the lead group on the cobbles when he crashed. Though he was able to catch back up to his team-mate Ian Stannard and put in one final effort for him on the front, he dropped out of the lead group before puncturing. Stannard went on to finish third.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Rowe continued. “I crashed and then I punctured on the Carrefour [de l’Abre cobbled sector] otherwise it would have been five in the front and five chasing. I was in the five behind so punctured just before that. Coming into the velodrome my rear mech stopped working, so I was stuck in god knows what gear."
He continued: "On a personal note it’s pretty disappointing – I came here to try and compete for the win. Through a few different things I couldn’t do that, but at the same time I’m so happy for Yogi [Stannard].”
Despite it being less than an hour after finishing racing, Rowe took confidence from his performance and what he could do in the Monument in the future.
“Already I’m thinking about next year and Paris-Roubaix,” he said. “It’s my favourite race of the year and I absolutely love it, so already focus switches to this time next year and I’m gunning for it. Hopefully [I can] come back and have a good run and try and win it.”
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
What is a tubeless tire? Everything you need to know about tubeless tech for road and gravel bikes
Thinking about 'going tubeless'? Here's a short guide to the tire and rim technology
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Pinnacle Laterite 2 road bike review - an excellent value workhorse model
A fantastic value winter trainer or commuter bike that won't break the bank
By Paul Grele • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
By Adam Becket • Published
-
No Egan Bernal at Paris-Nice as knee injury disrupts season
Former Tour de France champion "OK" but return is unknown at the moment
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published