The Ineos Grenadiers cycling team is facing a significant exodus of talent, with several key riders and backroom staff expected to depart during this transfer season, sources have told Escape Collective. Among the notable names rumored to be leaving are British road racing champion Ethan Hayter, Thymen Arensman, and Jhonatan Narváez. Additionally, multiple mechanics and performance-focused staff, including Performance Engineer Dan Bigham, have confirmed they will be moving on later this year.
Thymen Arensman, who has finished 6th overall in the last two editions of the Giro d’Italia, has been on the transfer market for a while. There are conflicting reports about whether the Dutch rider will stay with Ineos Grenadiers or move elsewhere. Jhonatan Narváez is reportedly set to join Bora-Hansgrohe, bolstered by new financial backing from Red Bull. The destination of Ethan Hayter remains unknown at this time.
Josh Tarling, the new British time trial champion and a potential gold medal contender at this summer’s Olympic Time Trial event, was also close to leaving the British squad. However, Ineos Grenadiers have managed to retain the young star, despite the team’s turbulent period marked by the departure of several top riders and staff members.
Tom Pidcock, once considered the heir apparent to British cycling legends like Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, and Geraint Thomas, may also be contemplating his future with the team. Although he has a contract with Ineos Grenadiers running until the end of 2027, there are whispers that he is currently in negotiations regarding his stay.
Ineos Grenadiers declined to comment on the ongoing speculation about the contracts of their riders and staff. Agents involved in these potential transfers have also remained silent on the matter. However, Dan Bigham, a key figure in Filippo Ganna’s successful World Hour Record attempt in 2022, confirmed that he would be leaving the team at the end of the year.
The recent Netflix series “Unchained Tour de France” documented the internal tensions within the team during the 2023 Tour de France. Pidcock was reportedly frustrated with not having a defined free role throughout the race, as he was expected to support teammate Carlos Rodriguez, who finished fifth. Pidcock has since stated that only he will decide his role for the 2024 Tour de France, signaling potential friction within the team.
The Ineos Grenadiers 2024 Tour de France squad announcement indicated that Carlos Rodriguez and Egan Bernal would lead the team, with Pidcock and Geraint Thomas expected to provide support and race aggressively. This strategic direction underscores the shifting priorities within the team.
In the past, Ineos Grenadiers was seen as the pinnacle for British cyclists, but recent trends suggest that top talents are now exploring opportunities elsewhere. Despite having one of the highest budgets in the sport, rumored to be around €50 million, Ineos Grenadiers is the only top team without a development squad, which may be hindering its ability to attract and nurture young talent.
The team has already lost several riders, including Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike), Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek), Luke Plapp (Jayco-AlUla), Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates), and Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe). Deputy Team Principal Rod Ellingworth also left the team last year.
Looking ahead, of the eight riders with contracts expiring at the end of 2024, Arensman, Narváez, and Hayter are expected to leave, while Luke Rowe is set to retire. The futures of Elia Viviani, Jonathan Castroviejo, Connor Swift, and Cameron Wurf remain uncertain, leaving the team at a crossroads as it navigates this challenging period.