Arriving in 2025. Meet our brand new British Grenadier! 🇬🇧 We're pleased to announce that top young talent @samuel_wats0n has signed a two-year contract with the team. Welcome Sam! 👊
INEOS Grenadiers sign young British talent that promises a lot for the cobbled classics - "Our squad for 2025 is really taking shape"
CyclingFriday, 23 August 2024 at 12:32
INEOS Grenadiers are losing British champion Ethan Hayter whilst his brother Leo Hayter is currently taking a break from cycling. It's safe to say British Cycling's situation is not the best, but INEOS have announced the signing one of the country's most talented classics riders in development: Samuel Watson.
“Joining this team really is a dream come true and I’m beyond excited to start working together and see what we can achieve," Watson said in a press release issued by the team. "As a young British kid watching other British riders in this team, it was really inspiring. To now join INEOS and ride alongside some of those big names - and to learn from them is really special."
A rider for Groupama - FDJ, the 22-year old had his development in the French team and turned professional in 2023. After two seasons in the pro peloton he will make the move to the British team. “I truly believe this is the perfect environment to reach my full potential and learn from the amazing role models within the team. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Watson is a winner of the under-23 Gent-Wevelgem in 2022 and this year he took an impressive win on the final and queen stage of the Tour de Wallonie, winning atop the cobbled Mur de Thuin, distancing a group including strong and experienced puncheurs such as Corbin Strong and Matteo Trentin. He has shown to have the talent to compete in these kinds of races, and will be part of INEOS' future block for the classics.
“It’s great that another talented young British rider is joining our Team. Sam’s still young but he has already demonstrated his talent at the highest level," team performance director Scott Drawer added. "We know that we’ll be able to offer him the best possible platform to take the important next steps in his career, and together we are excited to unlock his future potential".
“Sam’s profile and the range of capabilities will likely see him take a place in our Classics squad and feature in one-week races, where he has the skill to fight for wins in hard stages". After the team lost Dylan van Baarle it's been looking for new leaders for the classics. Watson will join the likes of Tom Pidcock, Joshua Tarling, Ben Turner and Magnus Sheffield to contest these races.
“In working closely with our world-class performance staff we’ll be able to offer him the opportunities to challenge for results in the right events, while at the same time developing all of the other skills it takes to be a sustained success at this level.” Watson is the fourth confirmed signing of the team for the upcoming season; following Victor Langellotti, Bob Jungels and 18-year old Peter Oxenberg.
“Our squad for 2025 is really taking shape, with a balance being struck between some of the most exciting young talents in the pro peloton being guided and mentored by the likes of Geraint, Ben, Salvatore, Jonathan, along with fellow new signing, Bob Jungels.”
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