"Carlos Rodriguez has shown in recent months that he is the man for us" - INEOS working for one leader at Tour de France insists Laurens De Plus
Cycling
With a number of riders having the potential to ride general classification amongst their eight man team, the INEOS Grenadiers arguably have one of the strongest climbing blocks at the 2024 Tour de France. Although not a leader, one of the most important parts of any success for the team, will be Laurens De Plus.
"My role is that of high mountain support. I can do that well and get a lot of satisfaction from it," says the 28-year-old Belgian, who claimed a top 10 at the 2023 Giro d'Italia, in conversation with HLN. "In any case, I am not someone who likes to be in the foreground. A top ranking is so out of the question, but I won't let myself every stage lose half an hour just for fun. I have to try to stay with the leaders for as long as possible every day, especially on the cols."
As mentioned, the INEOS Grenadiers bring a very strong squad in their bid to get back to the Tour de France podium. Alongside De Plus in the mountains will be the likes of Carlos Rodriguez, Geraint Thomas, Egan Bernal and Tom Pidcock. Despite the numerous options however, De Plus is insistent that the team will work together behind one rider and one goal.
"Carlos has shown in recent months that he is the man for us: second in the Tour of the Basque Country, victory in the Tour de Romandie, fourth and stage win in the Dauphiné, where he had better legs in the final weekend than in the beginning. That's always a good sign..." analyses De Plus, who himself finished 5th at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine. "The other leaders didn't show that, but Egan and Tom will also be very good. G above all wants no expectations, that nothing is said or written about him. I think that's because he hopes to surprise in the final week."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026 - I like Del Toro but he's not on the level of Jonas, by a large margin.awp12-11-2026
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