"I want to finish kind of on my own terms" - INEOS veteran and former British champion announces retirement at end of 2026 season
Cycling
INEOS will lose one of its most experienced riders at the end of the 2026 season after Ben Swift confirmed that he will stop racing at the end of the year. Currently riding the Tour of Britain for the last time, the 38-year-old made the announcement while riding his home race.
After 18 seasons as a professional rider, 15 of which at Netcompany INEOS and the previous iterations of the setup, Swift finishes a distinguished career that includes two national championships wins and 15 victories - six of which came at WorldTour level.
A versatile rider, he starts the Tour of Britain on Wednesday for the final time. "Yeah, so this is it. I've decided to retire," he said on Instagram.
"It's been 18 great years, I never really in my wildest dreams thought I'd have such a long career and a successful career along the way. Having grown up as a kid, it was just a dream. It was always something that I never really thought would happen, but I never saw myself doing anything else."
Swift hopes to finish at the top
Noting that he still enjoys the process of being a professional rider, Swift wants to retire while still at the thick of racing and being able to compete for results.
"I still love riding my bike. I love the training, I love the racing, and I think I decided to finish this year because I still feel like I'm at a high enough level to enjoy the racing.
"I think it'll be my 11th or 12th time riding this race, but it's just so nice to be racing in front of your home crowds on your home soil."
Ben Swift in his British national champion's jersey
Swift has other goals before retirement
Swift implied that he could also feature at other races between the Tour of Britain and the end of the 2026 season.
He added: "I want to finish kind of on my own terms, on a high, enjoy my racing, and just make the most of it, you know?"
Swift isn't the only rider at INEOS finishing his career at the end of 2026. Bob Jungels confirmed his retirement this season as the Luxembourg rider ends his iconic career. Meanwhile, Victor Langelotti and Andrew August are confirmed departures from the team.
Many other riders' 2027 contracts have not yet been confirmed, opening the door for other riders to leave the team, as well as incoming transfers ahead of the 2027 season.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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