"Laurens is good, but not yet on the top level" - Team manager Rod Ellingworth on not choosing Laurens De Plus for Vuelta a Espana

When Ineos Grenadiers announced their team's lineup for Vuelta a Espana the name of Laurens De Plus was missing from the list. The rider was upset with the team’s decision.

It was more shocking when four riders with less experience than him made it to the list. Team manager Rod Ellingworth disclosed the reason "Laurens is good, but not yet on the top level. He was disappointed when he heard but has taken it well," he told Het Nieuwsblad.

He continues, “It's not like we chose Luke Plapp in the function of the team time trial. Laurens is very all-around and would certainly have had his value in that. We do want to give young riders a taste of a Grand Tour. So now we take Luke, Carlos Rodríguez, and Ben Turner along."

Ellingworth assures him he will get the chance in the near future to prove himself, "He gets a nice programme this autumn in which he can show himself," concluded Ellingworth.