Luke Rowe retires from pro cycling at the end of 2024 - Welshman key to Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal's Tour de France wins
Cycling
INEOS Grenadiers have confirmed in a social media post this morning that 34-year old Luke Rowe will retire from pro cycling at the end of the ongoing season. The Welshman has proved a pivotal part of the famous 'Sky Train' throughout the 2010's and assisted the team into five consecutive Tour de France wins.
Rowe was more famously known as the rider who spearheaded the Sky Train throughout many Tours de France. It was eight in fact, from 2015 to 2022 Rowe raced every single one... From 2015 to 2017 he supported Chris Froome into the yellow jersey in Paris; whilst in 2018 and 2019 he helped Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal respectively to Tour de France glory. In every single one, Rowe's road captain abilities and experience was a key part of the team.
The Tour is the race that marked his career, as he succeeded in Paris multiple times as part of the British team. However as a new generation emerged in cycling and INEOS lost it's competitive edge over the other teams, so did Rowe. He hasn't raced the Tour since 2022, but remained an important member of the team in helping young riders make their way through the peloton.
In his palmarès, individually speaking, lay victories at the 2012 Tour of Britain and 2017 Herald Sun Tour. A classics specialist, he also managed to feature in the Top5 of the 2016 Tour of Flanders, whilst throughout his career he also managed to finish in the Top10 of Paris-Roubaix and several other cobbled classics.
Rowe's most recent race was the E3 Saxo Classic, where he crashed out and suffered a concussion. He is still on his way back, but the decision was made throughout the recovery period. "I am focusing on recovering from this latest injury and working with the team and doctors to try and get back on the bike," he said.
He also admits that most likely, he will bring his successful career to a close in his home race: "I have the rest of the season left and I would like to race again in 2024 - with the Tour of Britain being my dream race to end on."
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A legendary career, for an even more legendary Grenadier 👌 @LukeRowe1990 has announced he will retire at the end of the 2024 season.
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