INEOS reportedly target 27-year-old Spanish stage-race talent who swapped triathlon for WorldTour breakthrough
CyclingWednesday, 23 September 2026 at 17:15
The cycling transfer market is already beginning to produce some notable storylines ahead of 2027, and INEOS could be preparing a move for one of Spanish cycling’s more intriguing stage-race talents.
Movistar Team rider Javier Romo has been linked with a possible switch to Netcompany INEOS at the end of the current season, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Ciro Scognamiglio.
Any deal would be particularly interesting because of Romo’s current contract situation. The Spaniard renewed with Movistar through to 2028 and had become one of the riders around whom the team appeared keen to build for the coming seasons.
An early departure would therefore require an agreement between the parties, while INEOS would be adding a rider who has continued to develop into a reliable presence across both stage races and demanding one-day events.
Javier Romo in the Tour Down Under leader's jersey
Romo on INEOS’ radar
The 27-year-old has developed into one of Spain’s more promising stage-race riders since moving into professional cycling from a triathlon background. After beginning his professional career with Astana, Romo later joined Movistar and has steadily built a varied results sheet. He combines climbing ability with a solid time trial and has also shown himself capable of handling difficult one-day races.
His 2025 season included second overall at the Tour Down Under, second on a stage of the Vuelta a España and fourth at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Romo has continued to produce strong results in 2026, including seventh overall at Itzulia Basque Country and a third place on a stage.
INEOS are in the process of reshaping their squad for the coming seasons, and Romo would offer versatility across several roles, particularly in stage races and on harder mountain days.
Reports linking him with the British team are not entirely new, although there has still been no official confirmation from either INEOS or Movistar.
Info @Gazzetta_it - Sources told us that Javier Romo, now with @Movistar_Team, could (conditional) change already from 2027 and join @NetcompanyINEOS @cycling_podcast
— Ciro Scognamiglio (@cirogazzetta) September 23, 2026
An early departure would require an agreement
The biggest complication remains Romo’s contract. He still has two seasons remaining on his Movistar deal, meaning any move for 2027 would require an agreement between the teams. A report earlier in September suggested Movistar could receive financial compensation for allowing him to leave early, with Romo then signing a three-year deal with INEOS.
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Should the move happen, it would force a rethink from Movistar, who would be losing a rider still under contract and regarded as part of their longer-term plans.
For INEOS, meanwhile, Romo would become another piece in a squad undergoing significant change ahead of 2027.
For now, the move remains a reported possibility rather than a completed transfer, but Scognamiglio’s latest information adds further weight to a link that has been circulating in the transfer market for several weeks.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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