Luke to ride Tour de France 2015

Luke Rowe has been selected to ride the 2015 Tour de France for Team Sky!

Luke lines up alongside;

Chris Froome,

Richie Porte,

Geraint Thomas,

Peter Kennaugh,

Ian Stannard,

Nicolas Roche,

Leopold Konig, &

Wout Poels.

The 102nd Tour de France will begin for the 21st time outside of France, in the city of Utrecht in the Netherlands, where Luke will start in support of Chris Froome’s attempt to win the general classification.

Stage one will be a short 13.7km individual time trial within Utrecht to kick-off the Tour, before the race moves on to spend two days in Belgium, as it moves its way to France.

 

The cobbles will feature in the Tour for the second year in succession; with the Organisers including 13.3km of pavé over seven sectors on stage four between Seraing (Belgium) and Cambrai (France). Wet weather made the 2014 cobbles stage a dangerous affair for the riders, who will be hoping the weather sets fair to make this tough 221km stage less risky all round.

The first week of 2015 Tour has a very classics feel to it, during which, it is likely that Luke will play a major role in positioning the team at the front of the race, out of trouble, at key moments.

Stage three finishes for the first time ever on the climb that culminates La Fleche Wallonne, the Mur de Huy, which is one of those stages where the big names look not to gain time on their rivals, but just not to loose any.

As a team leader, you must be at the front at the bottom of this climb. Pure congestion up the narrow cobbled climbs, mean time can easily be lost to other GC contenders. This is where Luke will likely play a key role, in positioning Chris Froome and the rest of the team as close to the front as possible, and out of trouble.

Here’s a quick Q&A with Luke ahead of the biggest week of his career and the biggest bike race in the world – Le Tour de France

 

1. How do you feel about being selected for the 2015 Tour de France?

Excited. It’s a huge honor to be selected to ride the Tour de France – it’s the biggest race in the world, with the biggest teams and the best riders. On top of that, I am lucky enough to do with some of my best mates in Team Sky. It’s a childhood dream.

2. What is your first memory of the Tour?

I think it was 1998, when Marco Pantani and Jan Ullrich were head to head. My dad bought me a pirate bandanna like Marco, and I remember watching on the Champs Elysees with my pirate bandanna on – just like Marco.

 

3. Who is your all time favourite Tour de France rider?

Marco Pantani. I had posters of him on my wall as a kid.

 

4. What specific preparation for the Tour de France have you done?

We had a 3 week altitude camp in Tenerife, which was brutal. We trained like machines, which was tough at altitude, however I’m sure we will feel the benefits or our hard work when we hit the 7 mountain stages of this years route.

Each day we done upwards of 5 hours (which replicates Tour stages), with a load of climbing and specific threshold / race pace efforts, again to simulate what the Tour is going to throw at us. We are ready!

 

5. Any home comforts being packed for your lap around France?

No, I don’t think I’ll have time for any. I can see myself either riding my bike, eating or sleeping!

 

6. What are you expecting from the Tour?

Sore legs.

 

7. Who is going to win the 2015 Tour?

We are going to do all we can to support Chris Froome, so I’m hoping we can all do enough for Froomey to win.

 

8. What do you want to get out of the Tour?

Team success – I don’t have any personal goals other than do all I can for Froomey. It’s no doubt going to bring many memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Here’s to wishing the whole of the Team Sky Team a safe and successful Tour de France 2015!

Allez Luke!

Allez Team Sky!