The troubles of Ineos Grenadiers

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The Ineos Grenadiers are evidently going through a rough patch, and have been unsuccessful at winning a Grand Tour, which has only happened once in 2014. This has been surprising considering the team’s large budget of 50 million euros, which is the largest for any team on the World Tour. But the team is soon set to lose key riders before the end of the year, including Richard Carapaz who is known for his steady place on the team and his performances since 2020, Adam Yates, who is moving to UAE Team Emirates and Dylan Van Barle, who is moving to Jumbo-Visma.

Moreover, the latter two are moving to teams which are long-term rivals of the Grenadiers, which is understood to be motivated by various factors including money. Trouble is also brewing with the administration, with directors Servais Knaven, Brett Lancaster and Gabriel Rasch recently exiting the team, with other shuffles including the Communications team.

The Grenadiers have also been focusing on recruiting young riders to face competition from UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma, whose riders TadejPogacar and Primoz Roglic dominate every race they participate in, of which the Grenadiers have won only one. However, with the retirement of Alejandro Valverde, it will be a challenge for the team to train their younger riders like Carlos Rodriguez and Leo Hayter to replace the void.

This is also important in the light of senior players facing injury, such as Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas, who is also approaching his final years with the squad. Talks are currently on for acquiring Remco Evenepoel, who is a member of Team Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, but till then the Grenadiers will have to wait to put together a team which can win a World Tour.