INEOS confirm first transfer of its winter period - Spanish climber from EF Education-EasyPost joins British team
Cycling
Netcompany INEOS have lost Sam Welsford this Friday who has broken his contract to join Team Jayco AlUla but simultaneous to that announcement came the team's first first signing of the winter: Markel Beloki.
Whilst Benjamin Noval Jr. is already confirmed to join the team next year, that is a deal that has already been struck in the previous season and, until today, was the only rider confirmed to join the team. Now Beloki, 21, joins his compatriot in the British team.
“Markel is a great talent and someone we’ve been following for a few years," Geraint Thomas said in a press release. "He has huge potential, and I’m very excited to work with him and help him take the next steps in his development".
Beloki is one of the signings that had previously been rumoured on, set to join the team alongside the likes of Harold Tejada, Clément Champoussin, Michael Valgren, Javier Romo, Riley Sheehan and Joe Blackmore.
But on Beloki's part, the team wishes to reinforce its climbing block with a rider that promises a lot for the future. “He’s an exciting addition as we continue to strengthen the squad for the future.”
Markel Beloki is joining Netcompany INEOS in 2027
Markel Beloki joins Spanish compatriots at INEOS
Son of the former Tour de France finisher Joseba Beloki, Markel turned pro in 2024 with EF Education-EasyPost and has spent the three years of his career in the American team. He has stage and overall victories at the 2025 Tour Alsace and the 2026 Tour de l'Ain, steadily growing as a GC rider.
“Joining Netcompany INEOS is a hugely exciting step for me," Beloki said. "I’ve learned so much already in my first few seasons as a professional, and those experiences have made me even more ambitious about what I want to achieve".
Besides winning the Tour de l'Ain, Beloki fought his way into the spotlight this year by finishing 13th at Itzulia Basque Country and, until stage 14, battling for a Top10 position at this year's Giro d'Italia. He has at this point in his career raced the Vuelta a España on two occasions as well.
At just 21 years of age, Beloki is already an experienced World Tour pro, but his youth leaves a lot of potential on the table. He is one of the British team's signings thinking of the team's future, joining compatriots Noval Jr. and Carlos Rodríguez.
INEOS' long-term signing
"There is still plenty for me to improve on, and I’m looking forward to working with the riders and staff here to take that next step. My ambition is to develop as a stage racer and, in time, compete for results in the Grand Tours".
"I know that it takes patience and consistent work, so being able to learn from experienced teammates, contribute to their success and make the most of my own opportunities is something that really motivates me.“It’s an exciting time to be joining the team as we strengthen for the future and I want to play my part in that".
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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