British classics specialist won the national title for Netcompany INEOS, but his future is in doubt
Cycling
Sam Watson celebrated a victory on his first day of the 2026 season. But since then, the versatile Brit only got a chance to raise his hands once and now, the former national champion's future at Netcompany INEOS remains with a question mark as rival teams are gradually closing their rosters for next year.
Watson's path leading to where he stands at today was quite the unusal one by today's standards. It would be unfair to claim that Watson has ever not been a great talent.
Already in juniors, Watson impressed both on road and on track where he became 2019 European team pursuit champion alongside his UK teammates (among them a certain Ethan Hayter). However the covid and Watson's many crashes in first two years at under-23 level closed many doors and it's taken until 2022 that Watson entered continental ranks with Groupama - FDJ's development team.
Soon enough, Watson confirmed that he's already grown past the under-23 category as he's won three times, finished runner-up at elite UK nationals, or 5th at Tro-Bro Léon (1.Pro). There was no doubt that his WorldTour promotion with the French team the following year was more than deserved.
Formative phase
The next two seasons at Groupama - FDJ might've lacked a defining result, but they laid important foundation for Watson's further growth. It's been during this period that Watson got a taste of Grand Tour (Vuelta a Espana 2023), Monuments and even earned his first nomination for elite road European Championships in 2023.
In his second year, Watson also claimed a first professional victory when he rose to victory in the final stage of the 2024 Tour de Wallonie (2.Pro) after a number of close calls months prior. However the British rider felt he could achieve more, and seeked out a new adventure.
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Rapid rise up the ranks at INEOS
Watson joined Netcompany INEOS ahead of the 2025 season from Groupama - FDJ and immediately made a great name for himself. The 25-year-old rode to top-5 results at Figueira Champions Classic (1.Pro), Omloop Nieuwsblad, and in stages of Paris-Nice and Tour Down Under.
Later in the season, Watson also won a prologue at Tour de Romandie and a stage alongside overall title at 4 Jours de Dunkerque. All that was just a prelude to Watson's biggest victory though as he powered towards a coveted British road title in Aberystwyth. The new UK champion then made his debut at the Tour de France and wrapped up the year with podium finishes at Deutschland Tour and Tour of Britain.
With the good season in mind, Watson got immediately stuck in at his first race of 2026 season by winning the Tour Down Under prologue. However this early win did not bring Watson much good luck as in his consequent appointments, the British champion fell into second row of result sheet.
Sam Watson on podium after he won the prologue at Tour de Romandie 2025
The stripes did not bring Watson much luck
The bad luck stuck onto Watson through the entire summer as he was forced to miss out on an opportunity for his title defense after an illness saw Watson leave the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes early.
Two weeks later, Watson found himself at a better place shape-wise during the Tour of Austria where he won a stage and competed for another in a breakaway. But the desired turnaround did not come.
After forgettable appearances at Tour de Pologne and Renewi Tour, Watson agreed with his team directors to call his season already at the end of August. This has been a somewhat recurring theme in Watson's career the past few seasons, although it's logical for a rider who usually starts his season in April.
Netcompany INEOS need a positive impulse
Watson's struggles in 2026 was yet another bit of annoying news to Netcompany INEOS management. If there was one team who finished the season way below expectations, it must've been the British formation.
Despite its great financial and material resources, an incredible rider depth, and a strong 2025/26 transfer window, the Brits were left speechless in 2026.
Many riders were dealing with either performance or health issues, causing Netcompany INEOS to finish in a disappointing 8th place in the UCI teams ranking for a second year in a row despite notable optimism ahead of this season.
They also failed to reach a final Grand Tour podium as a GC-oriented team, won just one Grand Tour stage and one World Tour classic - Dwars door Vlaanderen. Both achievements go to Filippo Ganna.
No transfer news, but Watson's future seems secured
It's becoming bit of a tradition at the British formation that contract extensions just like all kinds of transfer news do come at a leisurely pace during the off-season. As of the moment, only 22 names are officially confirmed for the upcoming period.
Several strong riders including Watson are on the list of departures, but it is fair to assume that most, if not all, of the six names - Tobais Foss, Axel Laurance, Watson, Brandon Rivera, Óscar Rodríguez and Connor Swift - should continue in the British outfit. Also development team rider Mattie Dodd is reportedly set for World Tour promotion.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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