"A few people asking 'why not INEOS?'" - Luke Rowe explains decision to start DS role with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team

For so long one of the faces on Team Sky / INEOS Grenadiers, long time road captain Luke Rowe will make the somewhat expected switch from rider to sports director it has now been confirmed. Rather than at INEOS however, Rowe is set to join the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team.

Speaking on the latest episode of his and compatriot Geraint Thomas' Watts Occurring podcast, Rowe explained his own thought process and the reasons behind making the decision to leave the INEOS Grenadiers behind. "Probably, when I spoke to them (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team ed.), it was exciting," the Welshman begins. "They've got really clear goals, short term and long term. They've got a path on how they want to get there and you know, they realise that they've got to recruit a little bit. It's just exciting."

As mentioned, Rowe has been a long time road captain for the INEOS Grenadiers and played a key role in the Tour de France victories of teammates such as Chris Froome, the aforementioned Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal.

"I've had some great years at INEOS and before that Team Sky," he admits warmly. "But sometimes change is good. When the news got leaked the other day, there was a few people asking 'why not INEOS?' That would've been the obvious move but to be honest, there's no real reason why not INEOS. It was just exciting and I think will do good. This cycling malarkey is a small world and who knows, in five years I could be back at INEOS! Who knows? But for now I'm just fully focused on being the best I can."

For their part, in the official press release announcing the 34-year-old's arrival, Decathlon AG2R La Monidale shared Rowe's excitement. "He is someone who will bring us his experience from his thirteen years spent with INEOS Grenadiers. He has significant experience in the classics, Paris-Roubaix, the Flemish and the Ardennes races, where he played leading roles throughout his career," Dominique Serieys, Decathlon's CEO said. "This will allow the team to strengthen its preparation for these major events, which are key objectives for the coming seasons. Luke will be at the centre of the classics group, with various training camps and specific preparations set up to achieve these goals. It is a major step forward in structuring the sports department and supporting young riders towards the highest level."