INEOS Grenadiers reportedly close to replacing Caleb Ewan with another top Aussie sprinter

The INEOS Grenadiers made the call earlier this year to bring in Aussie sprinter Caleb Ewan. Despite a bright start to the campaign, Ewan announced a shock, immediate retirement in May. Now though, could INEOS be close to signing a like for like replacement in the form of another Australian?

Well, according to the British cycling transfer market expert Daniel Benson, the INEOS Grenadiers are leading the chase of Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe sprinter Sam Welsford. "In the last couple of hours we’ve received information that INEOS Grenadiers have emerged as the favourites to sign the Australian sprinter," reveals Benson in a transfer update posted to his SubStack. "The details are still emerging, but it appears that Welsford garnered interest from several teams."

Competing with INEOS for the signature of the 29-year-old, Team Jayco AlUla are also reportedly in the mix for Welsford's signing. "As we entered this week, Jayco AlUla at the head of the queue," Benson explains. "Jayco have been monitoring Welsford’s transfer status since the start of the year, and there had been rumours that a deal was struck in the early spring. We confirmed that those stories weren’t accurate but that Welsford’s future would be resolved this week."