Ineos Grenadiers Establish Development Squad for Emerging Cycling Talent

Ineos Grenadiers has announced the creation of a new development squad, the Ineos Grenadiers Racing Academy, slated to commence in 2026. This academy is designed to nurture and train emerging cyclists, preparing them for the rigors of professional racing within a WorldTour-caliber system. The team will operate at the UCI Continental level, taking over from the previous partnership with Germany's Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank. The new squad will sport black shorts, a departure from the main WorldTour team's distinctive light grey kit.

The initial roster for the academy will feature 12 promising riders, with a strong emphasis on British talent, including Hugo Boucher, Josh Charlton, Mattie Dodd, Max Hinds, and Dylan Sage. Among them, Josh Charlton, a European and world champion in the individual pursuit, and Max Hinds, a junior world track championships medalist, are notable British inclusions. The team also boasts international representation with Italians Davide Frigo and Nicolas Milesi, Australians Fletcher Medway and Cameron Rogers, Eritrea's Milkias Maekele, and Frenchman Hugo Boucher. Danish rider Theodor Storm, who joined the Ineos Grenadiers WorldTour squad in 2024 and recovered from a serious illness, will also be part of this foundational group. This diverse mix of athletes brings a wide range of skills and experiences to the new academy.

Geraint Thomas, recently appointed as Ineos Grenadiers' Director of Racing, emphasized the critical role of development systems in shaping young careers. He highlighted that the academy will focus on more than just physical performance, aiming to instill the holistic qualities of a professional athlete, including self-care, discipline, emotional management, and race strategy. This comprehensive approach is intended to equip young riders with the "full package" needed for success. Thomas expressed his excitement about the fresh faces and their potential, seeing parallels with his own early career and reinforcing the team's dedication to integrated development with the WorldTour squad.