Transfer mechanics: What next for Ineos Grenadiers?

The transfer market is in full swing with riders, teams and agents busily putting plans together for 2025 and beyond as they build their rosters and tie down existing talent on long-term deals.

The GC landscape remains tightly poised with Simon Yates, Lenny Martinez, and Ben O’Connor still available. At the same time, the likes of Kaden Groves, Kasper Asgreen, Oier Lazkano, ​​Søren Kragh Andersen and potentially Jasper Philipsen are all also still on the market, depending on which report you read.

One of the most interesting teams in the current climate, however, is Ineos Grenadiers, who are continuing their rebuild and transition in the hope of competing for Grand Tour honours at the Tour de France in the coming years.

Read more: Ineos CEO: ‘We’ve moved on from marginal gains, we’re now looking for maximal gains’

Unlike a year or two ago, the British team are now seen as one of the most attractive squads to join for next year owing in part to their need for high-calibre riders and their pursuit of young riders. The management refresh has already taken effect and recruitment appears to be front and centre to their plans.

At the same time, the squad also have several holes to fill, primarily in the Classics, but according to rider agents, they also appear to have one eye on a sprinter and the need for some firepower and experience in the mountains. None of the big four – Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič or Jonas Vingegaard – are available until at least 2026 but Ineos Grenadiers are actively looking at other options in the market according to several sources.

Having tied down Magnus Sheffield to a new long-term deal earlier this year, surely the next priority is to extend with Josh Tarling, who has impressed through his time on the team. The 20-year-old has one more year left on his current deal but GCN understands that rival squads are already showing interest in the talented time trialist. Ineos were in a similar position with Tom Pidcock two years ago before finally extending his deal for an additional four years, and they will surely aim to tie down Tarling before it’s too late.

There are several riders out of contract on the team ahead of next year, including Ethan Hayter, Thymen Arensman, Elia Viviani, Jhonatan Narváez, and Jonathan Castroviejo. The latter is likely to stay, while Arensman has slotted into the team well over the last two years, and remains a popular figure with riders and staff. He has one of the most well-respected agents in cycling too with SEG, who are unlikely to let the rider’s father’s recent social media outburst become a distraction.

Read more: Thymen Arensman’s father lashes out at Ineos Grenadiers after Giro d’Italia disappointment

Viviani’s future is unclear post-Paris Olympics, while Hayter remains a question mark after not delivering in the last 18 months due to a string of injuries and bad luck.

With Luke Rowe set to retire at the end of the season too, the British team could be out for another road captain and Classics rider but the media speculation of late has focussed on Grand Tour riders.

Lenny Martinez, who had been nailed on for a move to Bahrain-Victorious on a huge contract has been mentioned after his father spoke to the French press earlier this week and suggested that Ineos, Visma and even an extension at Groupama-FDJ were possibilities. GCN understands that while Martinez was a rider of interest at Ineos Grenadiers, a formal move is highly unlikely and that Bahrain remains the most likely destination for the young Frenchman.

Another name doing the rounds is Ben O’Connor. The Australian has been in fine form this year and has been linked to several squads including Ineos Grenadiers and Jayco AlUla. GCN understands that the Giro d’Italia contender is still on the market but that Ineos are again unlikely to push for the deal as they centre their GC hopes around Geraint Thomas, Egan Bernal, Carlos Rodríguez, and the next generation of talent.

Read more: Ben O’Connor considers contract options: 'I think you have to be open-minded'

Rumours have appeared linking Bob Jungels to the British team and the current Bora-Hansgrohe rider does remain a free agent for next year. Looking at the current roster at Ineos, it’s not impossible to imagine the former Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner on the squad, while Michael Valgren is another potential candidate to fill the void left by Rowe.

But with Jungels, while Ineos Grenadiers already have several veterans and young riders, they perhaps have a gap in the roster when it comes to dependable all-round super domestiques with experience in both the Classics and the Grand Tours.