INEOS confident that team can win Grand Tour once again: "Last year we were close to overpowering Roglic"

INEOS Grenadiers were, last decade, the dominant team in pro cycling's Grand Tours. That is not the case anymore, but the British team has not let their guards down and is working on developing future winners of the three-week races.

"Pogacar is one of the big boys in lap work within our sport, just like Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic. If you can compete against those men, the very best of their generation, then that is a very inspiring challenge," team DS Zak Dempster told Wielerflits ahead of the Giro d'Italia. "Last year we were close to overpowering Roglic. We should not be afraid of that or step away from our ambitions. It is important to be realistic and develop a good strategy.”

INEOS rode to second last year with Geraint Thomas at the Giro d'Italia and look to improve that this year. It will be a much more difficult task, but the Welshman rediscovered his form in recent years and looks set to lead a strong and experienced team alongside Thymen Arensman. Arensman, Carlos Rodríguez and sevral other upcoming riders are a big target of the team, who look to build from it's young base to match the likes of UAE Team Emirates and Team Visma - Lease a Bike.

“Owner Jim Radcliffe has already said that clearly. Every team wants to discover and retain those super talents. We want to become the best talent factory there is," he says. "That is the focus in our team and a responsibility in my job, the other team leaders and the coaches. Finding someone and helping them discover their potential should be our main goal."