INEOS Grenadiers set to sign Spanish talent Pablo Castrillo but won't make move for Simon Yates

With the 2024 Giro d'Italia having reached its second rest day, the rumour mill is filling up the day off from Grand Tour racing with transfer talk going into overdrive. According to reports, the INEOS Grenadiers have been active, securing the services of Equipo Kern Pharma's Pablo Castrillo.

According to GCN's Daniel Benson, the 23-year-old Spanish talent will make the move to the INEOS Grenadiers ready for the 2025 season, signing a two-year deal. With the team's stalwart road captain, Luke Rowe having announced his imminent retirement and the likes of Tom Pidcock, Ethan Hayter, Elia Viviani and Jhonatan Narvaez all either reaching the end of their respective contracts or attracting interest from across the peloton, it's not surprising that the British-based outfit are keen to reinforce their numbers.

In Equipo Kern Pharma's Castrillo, the INEOS Grenadiers would be securing someone viewed as a top talent for the future of Spanish cycling. A former under-23 time-trial world champion and a podium finisher at the 2023 Tour de Langkawi, Castrillo is likely to make his Grand Tour debut towards the end of this summer at the Vuelta a Espana.

Whilst it is unlikely the all-rounder will be the answer to INEOS Grenadiers' long search for a new Grand Tour challenger. According to the same report by GCN however, the answer to that search will not be former Vuelta a Espana winner Simon Yates either, despite the British rider seemingly being on his way out of Team Jayco AlUla at the end of his contract.

Another name soon to be out of contract is Thymen Arensman, who is impressing currently at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. After a slow start to the Grand Tour, the Dutchman currently sits 6th overall in the general classification at the second rest day, with a podium finish still in sight.