Luke Rowe keeping it real ahead of Vuelta a Espana debut
Team Sky's Luke Rowe isn't letting the prospect of his first Grand Tour ride faze him with just three days remaining until the Vuelta a Espana kicks off in Vilanova de Arousa this Saturday.
The 23 year old second year was named in Sky's nine man squad for the year's third Grand Tour on Tuesday afternoon and will ride in support of Colombian team leader and overall contender Sergio Henao.
"I'm looking forward to getting into the rhythm of racing and just trying to enjoy it as much as possible," Rowe told Cycling Weekly from Nice, where he has been training in the heat and the hills to acclimatise his body to the gruelling upcoming race after hosting the inuagural Hitters' GP at home in Wales.
"It's going to be a brutal three weeks but looking forward to getting the ball rolling. We've got a couple of days to prepare for the [opening stage] team time trial and after that it's a case of ticking off the days until we get to Madrid."
After being part of Sky's Classics squad in the early part of the season, a first Grand Tour in Spain has long been on the cards for the man from Cardiff.
He last raced two weeks ago at the Vuelta a Burgos as final preparation for its three week big brother, which this year features 11 summit finishes including the fearsome Alto del Angliru.
"I raced Burgos which was perfect preparation; a lot of the guys racing the Vuelta were there," he added. "In terms of training I've done nothing out of this world, I've just kind of kept things real."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
While getting through the next three weeks in a support role for Henao and Sky's sprinter Edvald Boasson Hagen is his immediate concern, Rowe also has one eye on the World Championships road race and another crack at the cobbled Classics next season.
"You ask anyone about a Grand Tour and they say the next year you really reap the rewards," he said. "My big goal is to finish the thing, so if I can get through it, get a spot in the Worlds road race which is quite a big goal, and then really take it into next year and the Classics.
"Suffering hour on end up a climb its only going to benefit you, whatever type of rider you are, so I think you can only take positives from hurting yourself up a climb!"
Related links
Quintana storms to Burgos victory
Vuelta a Espana Official Website [External link]
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
Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.
-
'One of the boys thinks I’ll be walking about in armour': Mark Cavendish knighted in ceremony at Windsor Castle
Manxman says he was “nervous” after being made a Knight Commander by Prince William
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: If the UCI Gravel Worlds doesn't have American pros at the front, everyone loses
Many of the United States' best gravel professionals are not going to the UCI Gravel World Championships and that is a problem for the whole discipline of the sport
By Logan Jones-Wilkins Published