INTERVIEW | INEOS' captain hopes to help team into podium in Paris - "We're going for the best GC result possible"

INEOS Grenadiers were the last team to reveal their lineup, and alongside it came a new sponsor in TotalEnergies - and also the return of Dave Brailsford to the team's top ranks. It is a Tour de France that can bring a lot of new things for the British team; and road captain Connor Swift anticipates what's to come in words to CyclingUpToDate.

"It's different, but I sort of think it's exciting with what it brings to the team and looking ahead to the future. More money and being able to sign some top riders," the former British champion said of the arrival of TotalEnergies as a team sponsor. The team has shown it's new jersey today in Lille for the first time, and were amongst the last team's to climb onto the podium ramp this Thursday afternoon.

The 29-year old has been looking forward to and training for his Tour return (it's his first since 2022), and has a clear role assigned to him. "I sort of been on the long list for a while to come here as a domestique and captain role. Throughout the season, the majority of the races I go to I have that role". He confirmed Dave Brailsford's influence didn't change the decision to bring him to the Tour. "In terms of Dave Brailsford I haven't seen him just yet but yeah".

Swift will be the main support rider for podium contender Carlos Rodríguez throughout this Tour. That is the absolute priority for the Briton, whilst the team will indeed give freedom to it's puncheurs to chase stage wins in the opening week: "I think Sam [Watson] and Axel [Laurance] they will float around and try to get a stage result, but me personally I'll be looking after Carlos and making sure he is safe". 

The Thorne native is looking forward to getting his fourth Tour on the road, and to enjoy more calmness after what are expected to be some very chaotic first few days in the race. "Just get the race underway, and then also once we get into the flow of it at stage 7, stage 8... We get into a nice routine, everybody knows each other in the peloton, the stress is down a notch... And then you can start to enjoy the race".

Asked if the team can finish on the final podium with the Spaniard, Swift tells that he has that hope: "Anything is possible, three weeks is a long time, he's in good shape. Obviously we're going for the best GC result possible. So yeah you can never say never".