'When it kicks off it really kicks off': Owain Doull on the step up to his first Tour of Flanders
23-year-old Welshman to get a place in Sky's Flanders team in his first year as a professional
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

After only a few months with Team Sky, Owain Doull will find himself on the start line of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, playing a vital support role for team leader Luke Rowe.
Doull is no stranger to the cobbles, having twice finished in the top ten of the under-23 Tour of Flanders, but says that racing over the pavé in the senior ranks is a completely different ball game.
>>> Seven things to look out for at the Tour of Flanders
"At an amateur level you can be strong enough to do what you want whereas here in the big league you've got a job to do early on because you're not going to be in contention in the final," the 23-year-old explained.
"There isn't really one single thing that's different. Everything's different - the technical side of things, the length of the races, the intensity. It's all a big step up."
Watch: Tour of Flanders 2017 essential guide
Doull didn't finish either of his first two senior cobbled races, E3 Harelbeke and Ghent-Wevelgem,but after working hard for the team in the early stages of both races is set to be selected as part of Team Sky's eight rider Tour of Flanders line-up.
The Welshman's inclusion is even more impressive considering the difficult start to his first season in the professional ranks, contracting appendicitis and having to have his appendix removed prior to the Tour Down Under, then suffering a nasty crash at the Abu Dhabi Tour.
>>> Owain Doull: I lost 7kgs following appendix operation
"It’s nice that the team has confidence to put me up for Flanders in my first season," Doull said.
"I’ve had a bad start to the year, so it’s great to get to the Classics and do these races which I’ve always been planning as my early season goals."
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar eyes Tour of Flanders revenge in 2023
The UAE Team Emirates rider hopes to add to his Monuments collection next season
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe: ‘I want to be 100% for the Tour of Flanders’
The Frenchman has said the Monument is his “big goal” for next season.
By Tom Davidson • 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
-
From the cobbles to the race track: Tom Boonen is living his best life
Classic legend Tom Boonen on race car driving, Mathieu van der Poel and modern cycling
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar apologised to Dylan van Baarle after Tour of Flanders frustration
Video shows Slovenian angry at Dutchman following Sunday's sprint
By Adam Becket • Published
-
The day the crowds returned: From viking horns to the smell of beer at the Tour of Flanders
Crowds packed the start, the finish, and every key climb to catch a glimpse of the Ronde
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I hope this will get a lot of young riders on their bikes' — Lotte Kopecky on her huge Tour of Flanders win
Belgian champion hopes to drive girls to cycling with victory
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Five talking points from the Tour of Flanders 2022
The key talking points from a thrilling day of racing in Flanders
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published