Luke Rowe has set his sights on a podium finish in Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix classic as he takes another step into cycling’s elite.

The Cardiff racer bagged Team Sky’s best result in one of the sport’s so-called monuments with a superb fifth in the Tour of Flanders last week.

And now he is ready for the feared cobbles of northern France that gives Paris-Roubaix it’s name, the ‘Hell of the North’.

The 26-year-old said: “It’s my biggest result to date. Before Flanders I would have said eighth place in Paris-Roubaix last year was my biggest result.

“Paris-Roubaix and Flanders are both on the same level so I’m a couple of places higher and a couple of places nearer the podium and the top steps.

“I’m getting there slowly but surely so hopefully in a few years it can all come together nicely.

“We didn’t win the race but it’s another step forward. I’ve got to be happy with that.”