Doull pens two-year extension

03 Sep 2019

Doull pens two-year extension

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Midway through his first Grand Tour at La Vuelta a Espana, Owain Doull has signed a two-year extension to stay here at Team INEOS.

The Welshman, 26, has enjoyed the strongest road season of his career, riding to his first professional win at the Herald Sun Tour in February, before finishing second at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne during the Classics.
 
Those results, along with selection for La Vuelta, represent another year of progression for Doull.
 
“Progression is probably the key word for me,” said Doull. “I want to carry on learning from the best people in the best team in the world.
 
“My first year with the team was up and down, the second was better, and then this year has surpassed my expectations, to be honest. Starting my first Grand Tour is something I have wanted to do since I joined the team.”
Second at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne was a career highlight for the Welshman

Second at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne was a career highlight for the Welshman

Owain Doull

Owain Doull

This year has surpassed my expectations, to be honest. Starting my first Grand Tour is something I have wanted to do since I joined the team.
Looking ahead, Doull hopes to benefit from his first Grand Tour and keep moving forwards.
 
“It is a bit of a cliché but I just want to keep progressing and I think that is the best way to go about things,” continued Doull. “2020 will be similar to last year with a big focus on the Classics before switching to that support role in the big stage races. It’s a role that Luke Rowe has performed so well for years and he is someone I massively look up to.”
 
With La Vuelta in his legs and the confidence gained from his podium finish at Kuurne, Doull will head into 2020 with a spring in his step.
 
“I’d like to kick on from what I did in the Opening Weekend at the Classics this year and try to transfer that into Flanders and Roubaix, then hopefully get another Grand Tour under my belt,” he said.
 
”Here at the Vuelta, I’ve spoken to a lot of the riders and staff and everyone says that after your first Grand Tour you can physically move on quite a lot. I understand the Vuelta is a good Grand Tour to do first too, because it sets you up well for your off-season, so hopefully I am starting from a higher level next season and that progression will carry on into the Classics.”
Doull looks up to Luke Rowe for his ability to perform in both one-day Classics and Grand Tours

Doull looks up to Luke Rowe for his ability to perform in both one-day Classics and Grand Tours

Team INEOS coach Conor Taylor said: “Owain has been a highly consistent performer this year, starting with his first professional win in Australia and carrying that form through the Classics, including his podium finish at Kuurne.
 
“He has been a key support rider across several stage races, which has resulted in him being selected for his first Grand Tour. Owain is a highly versatile rider, a true teammate on the road, and in time we hope to see him develop into an important road captain for us.
 
“Looking forward, Owain has a number of personal targets for next season, particularly around the cobbled Classics. We feel he is in the best environment to help him maximise his potential and achieve his ambitions in the sport.”