Cycling news: Ineos Grenadiers eye successful 2026 after high-profile transfers, contract extensions
As Ineos Grenadiers continue to prepare for the new season, some big announcements are leaving British cycling fans optimistic for a successful 2026.
After a strong 2025 in which the Grenadiers took 28 victories, the British team remains in the hunt for that elusive Grand Tour win they’ve been missing since Egan Bernal won the Giro d’Italia in 2021.
However, with some big names signing multi-year contracts and key riders signing contract extensions, will 2026 be the year?
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Wilkinson evaluates the Grenadiers’ chances of success in the upcoming season.
A fighting year to be proud of
After a pretty dismal 2024, Bernal’s top-10 finish at the Giro announced that the Ineos Grenadiers were back competing for the general classification at Grand Tours.
Not only that, but wins on stages 10 and 12 for Joshua Tarling and Ben Turner, respectively, showed the Grenadiers had a point to prove in 2025.
Thymen Arensman also looked to be competing for the GC at the Giro before a crash on stage 16 hampered his performance.
It was a month or so later that Arensman would make his mark with two wins in the French mountains on stages 14 and 19 at the Tour de France.
Bernal returned at La Vuelta a España and claimed a win on stage 16 in very unusual circumstances, but he had to settle for 17th in the GC while Ben Turner sprinted to victory on stage four.
The Grenadiers had shown they were capable of competing but were missing that last piece of the puzzle needed to secure a Grand Tour victory.
Management changes with the return of a British legend
Following his retirement from professional cycling, Geraint Thomas wasted no time in getting himself a new role, being named as Ineos’ racing director in November.
The Grenadiers have also welcomed Elia Viviani and Daryl Impey as sport directors ahead of the 2026 season, adding to an already hugely experienced management team.
Big names signing with the Grenadiers
It was a strong start to the transfer season for Ineos, with French national champion Dorian Godon becoming the team’s first signing for 2026 back in August.
The 29-year-old, leaving Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, signed a three-year contract.
Another French star, Kévin Vauquelin, has also joined Ineos after signing a three-year deal in October.
The 24-year-old has had a stellar 2025 after breaking onto the scene with a stage victory at the 2024 Tour de France.
Vauquelin finished seventh in the GC at this year’s tour and joins the Grenadiers following the folding of Arkea B&B Hotels.
He isn’t the only former Arkea rider to be joining Ineos this winter, with youngster Embret Svestad-Bårdseng following his team-mate.
The 23-year-old Norwegian will be looking to make his mark amongst the Ineos climbers in 2026 as he signs a three-year contract.
Jack Haig is another name joining the Ineos ranks, with the 2021 Vuelta podium rider making the switch after five years with Bahrain-Victorious, which included a third place at the Vuelta in 2021.
It’s understood that Geraint Thomas is a big admirer of the 32-year-old Australian and had a big part to play in his move across to the Grenadiers.
Haig has signed a two-year contract and is another very respectable addition to the team.
His experience as a World Tour Pro will no doubt prove key in any success Ineos are to experience in 2026.
It isn’t just new arrivals that are exciting British cycling fans, though, with the Grenadiers confirming key contract extensions to five riders just last week.
Michal Kwiatkowski, a rider who often slips under the radar, has signed a new three-year deal, whilst Lucas Hamilton has signed a two-year extension as another rider who impressed and played an important role this season.
Kim Heiduk, Brandon Rivera, and Ben Swift will also ride again for Ineos in 2026 after signing one-year extensions.
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Still time for more arrivals, but also departures?
And there could still be more additions to the Ineos roster, with a whole host of names being linked with the British team.
Australian sprinter Sam Welsford is understood to be present in Spain, although no contract has been signed, according to journalist Daniel Benson.
Welsford has been linked on and off with Ineos since June, but it appears no deal has been done yet.
Another name linked with a move to the Grenadiers is Picnic-PostNL star Oscar Onley, who Daniel Benson revealed has not linked up with his team-mates at the Picnic PostNL training camp amid uncertainty about his future.
The 23-year-old finished fourth at this year’s Tour de France and has now proved he has the ability to compete for the podium at Grand Tours.
With Picnic-PostNL in financial trouble, it is certainly looking likely that he will be riding elsewhere in 2026.
But with new arrivals come departures.
Michael Leonard, who is currently the Canadian TT Champion, has made the switch to EF Education-EasyPost after three seasons as a Grenadier, and there is still time for other riders to start a new chapter in their careers.
An interesting few weeks await before Ineos kick off their 2026 season Down Under on 20 January.
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