"INEOS was a team that wanted to win all three Grand Tours, and now a stage in Paris-Nice is a big success” – Bradley Wiggins weighs in on new look INEOS Grenadiers
CyclingThursday, 20 March 2025 at 09:44
Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France winner, has been
reflecting on some of the biggest storylines in cycling so far this season.
While his former team, now known as INEOS Grenadiers, endured a challenging
2024, they have made a stronger start to 2025. However, Wiggins believes their definition
of success has changed dramatically over the years.
Speaking on the On The Move podcast, Wiggins shared
his thoughts on Tom Pidcock’s move away from INEOS, suggesting that the young
Brit is growing into a leadership role.
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"I've been impressed with Tom since he left INEOS. He
looks much more mature, like he can handle the responsibility now,"
Wiggins said. "I saw the interview where he said he let Ayuso ride. That
was probably a bit of a surprise, but it's better than he's done in the past.
If he can keep that focus going into the Giro, he can get on the podium
there."
Pidcock’s departure from INEOS was one of the biggest
off-season moves, and Wiggins’ comments suggest he sees real development in the
young rider. With the Giro d’Italia now potentially on Pidcock’s radar, Wiggins
believes a podium finish is within reach if he maintains this level of
composure and decision-making.
Wiggins was also struck by the reaction within INEOS after
their stage win at Paris-Nice, a team that was once expected to dominate Grand
Tours.
"INEOS was a team that wanted to win all three Grand
Tours, and now a stage in Paris-Nice is a big success. Just like Manchester
United. The whole perception of success has changed, as if it were a French
team: winning a stage in Paris-Nice. A few years ago they didn't even go for
that. That's strange, with the budget, the riders, and the structure they
have."
His comparison to Manchester United reflects how INEOS'
dominance has faded, from a team that once set the bar for success, to one that
now celebrates individual stage wins rather than Grand Tour victories. The
shift in expectations is notable given the resources and talent the team still
possesses.
Another rider who has caught Wiggins' eye is Filippo Ganna,
who delivered a standout performance at Tirreno-Adriatico. Wiggins sees Ganna
as part of a new wave of riders, comparing him to Mads Pedersen, versatile,
powerful, and breaking the mould of traditional specialists.
"Ganna is part of a new breed, just like Pedersen.
That's something completely different from what I did, or in Johan's times.
They are such good athletes, who despite their weight can actually do
anything."
With Milano-Sanremo approaching, Wiggins acknowledged the predictability
of attacks from Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel, but suggested that
Ganna and others will need to find a different approach to challenge the
overwhelming favourites.
"They know where Van der Poel and Pogacar are going to
attack, but they still have to try something different."
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- Del Toro and Ayuso it not Contador and Armstrong. Contador was leader as well as Armstrong. Conatdor had already 3 GTs won. Del Toro came as gregario and Ayuso the leader with Adam Yates. Also Del Toro hasn't even finished top 10 in GTs and also not many 1 week races.abstractengineer23-05-2025
- As Contador did, lets see who wins on the road at least Del Torro doesn't have to deal with Armstrong and Bruyneel doing everything to stop him winningslappers6623-05-2025
- Visma have screwed up immeasurably, tactically on this, Vuelta 24 remember that debacle! Tel Toro is the strongest. During a notable Giro Mikel Landa was the strongest but who kept getting backed, Fabio Aru, he never won that Giro - a team SHOULD always ride for the strongest rider!
leedorney23-05-2025 - Very true, the strongest should and will win, in the moment - I know what I would do...leedorney23-05-2025
- Lets not forget it's a 3 week race and Del Toro doesn't have a track record of doing these long GTs. All it takes it one bad moment on a climb to blow up.frieders323-05-2025
- I like this young man, if he is feeling good he should go for it on the next mountain stage.awp23-05-2025
- Team politics are terrible, I suspect that the team management knows who the strongest is on UAE in this Giro, Juan Ayuso is a great young athlete but he wobbles all the time. I figure UAE will go with who feels better. If del Toro feels good the team will probably back him. To hear Isaac say he stopped riding to wait for Ayuso because it was the right thing to do, made me upset. I know we are only fans but we want to see the strongest win.awp23-05-2025
- Froome was, in my book, the greatest Grand Tour rider ever. Better than Armstrong, better than Induarain. It all ends in a second for these guys. I remember that whenever people complain about Pogacar, and I am grateful.
Barney23-05-2025 - Tom retired instead of signing another contract. Visma offered him a contract renewal, he decided to retire which shocked everyone because he is such a strong cyclist.awp23-05-2025
- "North American"adammyerson22-05-2025
Good. Inios is an awful company that shouldn't have ever been allowed into cycling. Is easily findable video of their staff assaulting grandma's protesting fracking, something eventually banned due to its lack of success when done, and fact in most communities around 98% of those asked disapproved of having one. I celebrate their failure and until a better owner takes over British cycling won't recover as I know I'm not alone in how feel, especially those who love cycling but as currently unsold on it as a pro sport.
He's still living in 2015, my man, INEOS is not the best team in the world anymore and has no riders that can seriously compete in a GT with the best
True, but they are improving again this year, maybe by the Tour’s return in the UK they can achieve something ;-)
What, a top 5? Big maybe and definitely not with a British rider
Hey, you can always buy success, and with the stars realigning, Ratcliffe might see an opportunity in funnelling off some of that future public funding for the Manchester stadium project ;-)
Oh I don'y know? Never say never. Pidcock might just surprise us.
Not a chance
We'll see. I reckon this announcment of the tour coming back to the U.K. in Scotland will encourage a lot of british riders like Pidcock to raise their game.
Not a chance? Give us the benefit of your insight on this statement and why there is no chance.
I think that is already happening going by the comments from riders on this and other cycling sites.
His climbing is nowhere near the level of the best and his TT is shit compared to them. His 3 week consistency is also questionable until proven otherwise
Isn't that what I said earlier? He may surprise us yet.
I wasn't replying to you but anyway, then you can say that about absolutely everyone. Maybe I will surprise you and win the Tour next year
I was replying to your comment. Sorry for the misunderstanding, We were talking about the same thing though. Time will tell as we both agreed.