INEOS Grenadiers tried to sign Tadej Pogacar between Tour and Vuelta

Team INEOS Grenadiers has expressed interest in talented Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar. Although Pogacar has a current contract with UAE Emirates until the end of 2027, his agent, Alex Carrera, revealed to GCN that the British team approached him to explore the possibility of joining their ranks between the Tour de France and this year's Vuelta a España.

According to Carrera, "They are definitely interested" in Tadej Pogacar. However, the young Slovenian's contractual situation is a factor that will have to be taken into account in any possible move. Pogacar, just 25 years old, decided two years ago to extend his contract with UAE Team Emirates until 2027, demonstrating his commitment to the team. Despite the interest from INEOS Grenadiers, Carrera emphasized that Pogacar remains a rider under contract with UAE and that any discussion about his future will require negotiations with his current team.

"If INEOS Grenadiers is interested in signing Tadej first, they should talk to UAE Team Emirates," Carrera said. "INEOS' goal is to remain one of the best teams in the world, and then you need the best riders." Currently, Pogacar is one of the most accomplished and successful cyclists in road cycling, having won back-to-back Tours de France in 2020 and 2021.

So far, both INEOS Grenadiers and UAE Emirates have chosen to remain silent on this situation. It is clear that the British team is looking for a new leader for the stage races, as they have lost ground to teams like Jumbo-Visma and UAE Emirates itself, led by Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, respectively. So far we knew about their interest in Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic, but it seems they're going all in;