Rowe seeks new way to tackle the "million-dollar question" concerning Van der Poel, Van Aert, and Pogacar

Thursday, 26 December 2024 at 11:20

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Don't look for Luke Rowe in the pro peloton next season. The man from Wales had to end his career earlier than hoped due to the effects of a concussion sustained in the E3 Saxo Classic, but the cycling world has not lost him. Besides his successful podcast with good friend Geraint Thomas, Rowe is stepping into the sports director's car at Decathlon AG2R. He is looking forward to this challenge, as he revealed in a conversation with IDLProCycling.com.

Luke, how are you?
"It's a big change, but it's going well. I've now completed the first days in the car behind the riders, whereas most of my life I was on the bike and followed by the car."

Is that strange?
"It's a peculiar change, especially since I had to quit a year and a half earlier than planned because of an injury after a crash. That's a miserable situation, but that's also part of life: the moment one door closes, another one opens. I'm a happy man."

You have now chosen to join Decathlon AG2R. This is a remarkable choice for many people, but did it also surprise you?

"Definitely. If you had told me three years ago that I would now be the team manager at AG2R, I would have...

Of course, I'm surprised, but the thing is, I talked to quite a few teams, and I quickly felt that this would be the right place for me. I like to be part of a journey, you know? We are in a place now, but more importantly, we want to go somewhere. That appeals to me so much, and I feel there are the resources, people, and passion for that."

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Rowe goes in different direction with choice of Decathlon AG2R

You were part of that journey with Sky/INEOS during your career, but if I understand correctly, you have decided to make the transition yourself. In other words, was it possible for you to stay with INEOS as well?

"That possibility was there, certainly. We talked to each other, and I received an offer. But it would become too comfortable because I know the riders there well. They are not only colleagues but also good friends. Being a sports director would probably be difficult. I can't say anything bad about INEOS; they have always taken good care of me."

I have to say: it's a brave choice. Staying at INEOS would have been the 'easy' choice, but now you are jumping into the unknown.

"That's true, I think. It's a new team, a new language, and a new role. If I make it uncomfortable, I can get the most out of myself, so there is a challenge. I don't need to get relaxed; I love this challenge. And it's a big f*cking challenge."

Are you impressed with Decathlon AG2R's plans? I assume they gave you a presentation.

"Definitely. In some way, my image of the team was that it was all still old-school, like in a French style, even after their successes in 2024. But that image has changed, especially now that I have talked to people and riders who have been here for a long time. They say it has changed entirely in the last 12 to 24 months. Everyone is enthusiastic, really everyone. They're curious to see how far they can get in the next five years."

What will role will Luke Rowe play in that? You have a lot of experience on the grand tours and also with the classics in the spring.

"The focus now is mainly on the classics. We must find an answer to the million-dollar question: if you don't have Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, or Mads Pedersen, how do you achieve success? That's the million-dollar question. And we don't have the answer to that right now, but we will try. There is now a generation of super enthusiasts who win almost everything."

How should you, as Decathlon AG2R, find an answer to that?

"We have a young, classic core. There is experience, but in general, they are pretty inexperienced. Oliver Naesen and Stan Dewulf are probably the best options right now. If you look at Oliver's results in the classics, you wonder how on earth it is possible that he has never won a race like this. He has been so close so many times.

For Roubaix, we might have someone like Stefan Bissegger, who can step up a notch in the spring. In any case, he has the potential for it, but the issue we have to solve is that we don't have one of those top riders but are part of the group behind them."

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Rowe has more time for the kids

Decathlon AG2R has transferred five young talents to the pro team. Do you see some of them growing into classic riders?

"Oscar Chamberlain may already be drafted here and there, but first, we have to look at the level they are at now. He won the junior edition of Paris-Roubaix, although that is still a different pair of sleeves than the elite race. Perhaps then he can make the step in 2026."

How do you look back on your first weeks as sports director?

"It has mostly been a lot of meetings and the like, precisely the things I hated as a rider. I just wanted to ride races, but in fact, I did not even really train. So those other things are probably also my weak spot as a sports director; I think I'm at my best at the races. So I'm looking forward to that.

I will do the classics alongside Julien Jurdie, who has extensive experience. I'm not naive because I know I still have to learn everything as a sports director. So, with that approach, I also want to start as technical director, and hopefully, it will all unfold well."

How did your daily life change?

"I have a lot more free time. I have children, six and three years old so that I can spend more time with them. The biggest change, though, is not being tired anymore. I was constantly tired for thirteen years. You always think about your recovery and performance when your kids ask you to go to the park or play soccer with them after a five-hour workout. But now you just say 'yes,' and I enjoy that immensely."

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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief

Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.

Bram van der Ploeg | Lindkedin | Email

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