Luke Rowe: I feel like I’ve let the team and myself down
The Team Ineos road captain has been kicked off the Tour de France after an altercation on stage 17
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5nGnZN5yY7fyEZoG3sSeTM-1280-80.jpg)
Luke Rowe said he feels like he has let his team and himself down after being thrown off the Tour de France.
Welshman Rowe was involved in an altercation with Jumbo-Visma’s Tony Martin in the final 15km of stage 17, where Martin swerved into Rowe.
The Team Ineos road captain then put his hand on Martin immediately after.
Race commissaires reviewed the footage after the stage and eventually decided to throw both riders off the race.
UPDATE: Team Ineos looking into appeal after Luke Rowe kicked off Tour de France 2019
After the decision was announced, Rowe told ITV: “It’s the biggest sporting event in the world and to come here with this team alongside a bunch of good mates, I just feel like I’ve let them down. Of course I’ve let myself down.
“I’m quite shocked, I think it’s a very harsh punishment but it’s something I’ve got to live with now and hold my head high.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Rowe said that both riders had been fighting for position at the front of the bunch near the conclusion of stage 17 of the Tour de France 2019 to Gap, causing tempers to flare but adding “it wasn’t a big thing.”
He said that both riders sat up at the 10km mark and rode to the finish together, shaking hands and admitting they were both in the wrong.
Team Ineos principal, Sir Dave Brailsford, said: “They’ve decided to expel Tony and Luke from the race, which feels incredibly harsh if I’m honest.
“It’s nothing more than you see on most days of the race.”
Brailsford said the situation was completely different to the incident with Gianni Moscon from the 2018 Tour, when the Italian was kicked off the race for punching French rider Elie Gesbert, saying there was no aggression between Martin and Rowe.
The official communication from the race jury said Rowe and Martin were “out of competition” for an assault between riders.
They were also fined 1,000 Swiss Francs (£812) points each and deducted 50 UCI points.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Tech of the week: Rouvy app extends its reach to Zwift Ride users, Vittoria goes large with a new Corsa Pro tyre, Parktool does the heavy lifting and more...
Combined, Ride and Rouvy means its thousands of virtual courses can now be enjoyed with the benefit of Zwift's virtual shifting tech
By Luke Friend Published
-
Tweets of the week: Wout van Aert's Valentine's stunt, Tadej Pogačar scares his rivals, and Lorena Wiebes makes winning look easy
Saddle up, it's time for your weekly dose of the best of social media
By Tom Davidson Published
-
No Paris-Roubaix or Tour of Flanders for Tom Pidcock as he confirms spring calendar
AlUla Tour winner set to ride Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo for Q36.5
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Egan Bernal wins first race since 2022 horror crash, Ineos Grenadiers win first race in 215 days
Bernal’s victory was also Ineos Grenadier’s first win in months
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers looking for second sponsor in order to return to 'super team' status
British WorldTour team to continue into 2026
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock's coach leaves Ineos Grenadiers, likely to join Q36.5 Pro Cycling
Kurt Bogaerts confirmed to have left Ineos Grenadiers and is expected to imminently follow Pidcock to Swiss team along with soigneur
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published