"INEOS can be as strong as Team Sky once was": Rider agent confirms that British team is back on a look-out for superstars

The confirmation that INEOS Grenadiers has secured a major sponsorship for the coming years has drawn positive reactions across the international peloton. Many in cycling believe the deal could return the British team to Grand Tour contention, echoing the era when it dominated as Team Sky. According to specialist media, the team has reached an agreement with Danish tech company Netcompany worth around €100 million over five seasons. In addition, the energy group TotalEnergies is expected to increase its backing in the coming years, which would give the team an annual budget close to €50 million.

With that financial firepower, the British squad could once again compete on equal terms with structures such as UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Lidl-Trek, Visma | Lease a Bike, or Decathlon CMA CGM.

An agent in the professional peloton, who spoke to Cyclingnews during Tirreno-Adriatico, welcomed the news and underlined its potential impact on the team’s future. "I’m convinced Ineos will soon be a genuine super-team again."

In his view, the financial boost will allow them to rebuild a winning project. "If they get the budget lift that’s being rumoured thanks to the new sponsor, I’m sure Ineos can be as strong as Team Sky once was."

The return of Dave Brailsford behind the project's steering wheel has also been highlighted as a key factor in the team’s relaunch. The Briton, who in recent years has focused part of his activity on football with Manchester United, is now re-engaging in cycling.

"Dave’s return has been vital for the team’s future," the agent said. "He has always delivered: he showed his talent when he helped Great Britain dominate on the track, then vowed to win the Tour de France with a British professional team, and he achieved all of that."

Rival WorldTour teams also view the arrival of new resources at the British outfit positively. A sports director from another team explained that long-term sponsorship can support both the development of young talent and the signing of established stars: "INEOS finding a new sponsor is great news for the team, but also for cycling as a whole."

Although INEOS has not enjoyed the same prominence in Grand Tours in recent years, many within the peloton note that cycling’s dynamics can shift quickly. "There are times in sport when a team may lack a marquee Grand Tour contender or the means to sign and develop one. But cycling is always cyclical - the wheel keeps turning. If a team has solid management and staff, and finds the right sponsors, it can rebound quickly."

Even with a bigger budget, reclaiming Tour de France dominance will be no simple task as long a rider of the qualities of Tadej Pogacar is active. Still, some agents believe the project has enough scope to rebuild over the next few years.

"Tadej Pogacar is a generational talent, so it won’t be easy even for Dave to win the Tour in the coming years, but I’d bet that the new version of Team INEOS will win it soon and certainly before 2030."

The same agent concluded by noting that, although the team may not yet have the ideal Grand Tour leader, he trusts the British structure will eventually find one. "Dave may not yet have the ideal rider to do it, but he’ll find a way to win the Tour again, I’m sure."