A former thriathlete and a winner at the Tour Down Under - INEOS' new Spanish weapon for the mountains
Cycling
Netcompany INEOS continues to shape its project for 2027 with a move to strengthen its Spanish presence. The signing of Javier Romo from Movistar Team adds an intriguing piece to a squad aiming to regain prominence on the international calendar, with Carlos Rodríguez set to be one of its leading figures.
The rider from Toledo has signed through the end of 2028, arriving after three seasons with the Spanish team, where he made enough progress to establish himself at the sport’s highest level.
At 27, Romo offers a different profile from that of a conventional domestique. His versatility across different terrain, Grand Tour experience and knack for finding opportunities in one-day races and stage races make him a rider with several possible roles. He need not be confined to a single team function, an especially valuable quality for a squad looking to rebuild its depth and broaden its options when selecting line-ups.
The Spaniard has taken an unusual path. Before turning professional in cycling, he competed in triathlon, where he became Spanish champion and ranked among Europe’s top 10 juniors. His switch to cycling came relatively late, but he adapted remarkably quickly.
After winning the Spanish under-23 title in 2020, he moved straight into the professional ranks with Astana, before finding an ideal setting at Movistar Team to continue his development.
Javier Romo is one of INEOS' signings for 2027
Now he faces a new challenge with a British team that will also feature younger Spanish riders such as Markel Beloki and Benjamín Noval. The former Movistar rider’s arrival could help shape Carlos Rodríguez’ race plans, particularly in races where the rider from Granada needs solid support before the decisive moments.
A reliable domestique in the mountains
One of Javier Romo’s main contributions to Netcompany INEOS could be his ability to work for a team leader. His all-round qualities allow him to handle rolling terrain, medium-difficulty climbs and hilly stages, all familiar settings where Grand Tours are often won and lost. He does not need to be a pure climber to become an important part of the team.
With the likes of Oscar Onley, Kévin Vauquelin, Thymen Arensman, Egan Bernal - and potentially Benjamin Noval Jr. in the future - INEOS will have plenty leaders in the mountains through which Romo can be usedful for.
His arrival also broadens the team’s options for building a cohesive, well-connected unit. Alongside Carlos and Óscar Rodríguez, Beloki and Noval, the British squad will have a Spanish contingent that could help with coordination in certain races. Romo’s presence does not automatically guarantee a collective leap in performance, but it does add an experienced rider who knows the demands of the WorldTour calendar and has already shown a willingness to work for his teammates.
The ability to contest stages and smaller stage races
The second reason to welcome Romo’s arrival lies in his individual potential. He is not simply a rider expected to work for team leaders. His recent record shows he can also target victories, particularly on selective stages, hilly routes and in one-week races where consistency can make all the difference.
Romo made his strongest statement at the 2025 Tour Down Under. The Spaniard claimed his first professional victory on stage three after winning from a late attack, and also wore the race leader’s jersey. He ultimately finished second overall behind Jhonatan Narváez, confirming his ability to compete for major results on the World Tour calendar. That performance was the clearest sign yet of his progress and showed that his potential extends beyond teamwork.
He also showed his class at that season’s Vuelta a España, taking two stage podium finishes before abandoning after the effects of a crash. In 2026, he again proved consistent in high-level races, finishing seventh overall at Itzulia and putting in a strong performance at Tirreno-Adriatico. Those results point to a rider capable of seizing opportunities when the race calendar gives him the freedom to do so.
For INEOS, having that alternative means another rider capable of targeting victories without always compromising the ambitions of its leading figures. Romo can take on a leadership role in smaller races, seek opportunities in week-long stage races or make the most of routes suited to his strengths.
Javier Romo, former Movistar Team rider
A specialist in wearing down rivals and strategic breakaways
The third reason to believe Netcompany can help Romo take another step forward is his ability to read the tactical demands of a race. His power, endurance and peloton experience make him valuable on days when the goal is not necessarily to contest the win, but to shape how the race unfolds.
In certain situations, his presence in a breakaway can become a strategic asset for the team.
The rider from Castilla-La Mancha has the attributes to join attritional breakaways, particularly on rolling stages, routes with a succession of climbs or days when the peloton must keep several moves under control.
His presence in a front group can force other teams to take responsibility, raise the pace of the chase and wear down riders who may later have to protect their leaders. He can also help harden the race from afar when the team needs to thin out the peloton before the decisive moments.
Romo can work from the break, help control a stage or serve as a link between the front groups and the peloton.
Javier Romo’s triathlon background also helps explain some of his strengths: endurance, the ability to sustain prolonged efforts and the discipline developed in a demanding sport. These qualities bring a different skill set and add value to his career. They do not guarantee results, but they suit a rider who has shown a notable ability to adapt to professional cycling.
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Ultimately, signing Javier Romo gives Netcompany INEOS more than another name for its “Spanish armada”. His versatility makes it easy to picture him supporting Carlos Rodríguez in the middle mountains, targeting individual results in certain races and playing a tactical role on attritional days.
After developing at Astana and establishing himself at Movistar Team, the rider from Toledo now faces a new chapter in which he must find the right conditions to keep progressing. His challenge will be to balance his personal ambitions with the collective role that could make him an indispensable part of the British team’s project.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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