INEOS Grenadiers reshuffle continues: "We are going to spend the rest of this year making positive changes"

2024 has been a challenging year for INEOS Grenadiers. Known for their dominance in the cycling world during the 2010s, the team experienced a season that highlighted the need for internal restructuring, recalibration, and a push for renewed ambition. In a move to shift their performance trajectory, INEOS Grenadiers have embarked on a significant reshuffle of their backroom staff, positioning themselves to tackle the future with a fresh outlook.

Among the new appointments, the team has brought in Dr. Billy Fitton as the new head of engineering and technology. Dr. Fitton joins the World Tour squad with a solid background, having spent the past six years at British Cycling, where he served as the national squad’s data and insights lead. His expertise will be instrumental as the team seeks to leverage cutting-edge equipment and enhance rider performance through a rigorous technological approach.

A team statement outlined Fitton’s focus: “He will lead the team’s equipment testing and rider-technology integration through modelling and simulation approaches.” His role is set to be pivotal as INEOS Grenadiers look to maximise performance through advanced analytics and rider-technology integration. Fitton’s arrival follows a series of new hires and the departure of former race engineer Dan Bigham, who left the team to join Red-Bull-Bora Hansgrohe.

Perhaps the most striking indicator of the team’s recent challenges was their lacklustre performance in the 2024 Tour de France, where they failed to secure a single stage victory. This underwhelming outcome marks a stark contrast to the team’s former dominance, especially in the 2010s, when they frequently commanded the peloton with ease.

Director of Racing, Rod Ellingworth, has expressed optimism about the team’s ongoing transformation. “We have a highly motivated, hungry and ambitious team of coaches, sport directors and performance specialists who want to create an environment that allows our riders to fulfil their potential. That collective energy and desire will set us up for the challenges and opportunities that await in 2025,” he stated, underscoring the team’s commitment to fostering a culture of growth and success.

Ellingworth highlighted the team's strategic focus for the remainder of the year, outlining plans to set performance objectives, carry out key training camps, and engage the team fully in preparation for the coming season. “We are going to spend the rest of this year making further positive changes: setting the team’s performance plans and goals, executing some key training camps and getting the whole team ready to race hard in January. We want to set the right tone from the start and will be working closely with our riders to establish the culture which will facilitate success and be fundamental to our future,” he added.

As INEOS Grenadiers recalibrate and set their sights on 2025, the hope is that these changes will revive the team’s competitive edge. With new talent in their engineering and performance divisions, the squad is building a solid foundation designed to rekindle their past glories. The upcoming season will test the effectiveness of these transitions as the team seeks to reclaim its position among cycling’s elite.

The changes at INEOS Grenadiers reflect a team striving not just to adapt but to excel in an ever-evolving sport. The world will be watching to see if this reinvigorated setup can once again propel them to the forefront of professional cycling.