One of the stalwarts of the Team Sky /
INEOS Grenadiers set up over the years,
Luke Rowe is now set for a new challenge in 2025 as he retired from professional racing and joins the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team as a new sports director.
"I took a bit of time to reflect on my future and see what the new chapter would be," explains the Welshman in comments to his new employers' official
social media pages after the long rumoured move was officially confirmed. "The DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE project appealed to me, particularly with the big step forward made this year in terms of performance, but above all with the future project and the long-term vision. I will be eager to bring my experience from the years spent at the highest level and to support the riders, especially in the classics."
Rowe was 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. Recently though, as INEOS began to underperform, Rowe has been vocal via his and Thomas' podcast, saying more needs to be done behind the scenes at the British-based team.
"The meeting with Luke Rowe happened naturally," Dominique Serieys, Decathlon's CEO adds. "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."
"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," Serieys concludes.
