Netcompany announce Giro d'Italia stage winner into 2027 roster - "He brings a huge amount of experience"
Cycling
Netcompany INEOS have announced yet another one of its signings for the 2027 this Wednesday morning. The British team had long been linked to Michael Valgren of EF Education-EasyPost, and the move has been made public now.
“I've known Michael personally for a long time and I've always had a lot of respect for him, both as a rider and as a person. He's a great character who I know will fit really well into the team," Geraint Thomas, Head of Racing at INEOS, said in a press release issued by the team.
Valgren has long been connected to INEOS riders in the Nice-Monaco residence area, and with the entry of Netcompany as a title sponsor this year - a Danish IT company - the signing of one of Denmark's most successful riders in modern history is a perfect fit.
Valgren has been a professional rider since 2012 and a member of the World Tour since 2014 - barring the year where he was part of EF Education's development program, as he developed from a serious injury back in 2023.
“He brings a huge amount of experience and has shown he's still racing at an incredibly high level, particularly after everything he's been through following his crash," Thomas praised. "To come back from that and be winning big races again says a lot about his character and determination.
“He'll bring real strength and experience to our Classics group, but just as importantly, he'll be a great addition to the team off the bike too. We're really looking forward to having him with us".
Michael Valgren was a stage winner at this year's Giro d'Italia
Michael Valgren joins Netcompany INEOS
Valgren's career revolves around the classics and breakaway opportunities. The Osterild-native is a natural rouleur and puncheur, the type of rider who thrives on aggressive racing and isolated attacks. In his palmarès are big classics such as Amstel Gold Race and Omloop het Nieuwsblad which he has conquered in 2018; and a podium place at the 2021 Leuven World Championships.
“To finally have the opportunity to join Netcompany INEOS is a dream come true. It's a team I've always wanted to be part of, so in many ways, it feels like things have come full circle," he admits.
In 2022 Valgren suffered a crash at La Route d'Occitanie, suffering a fractured pelvis amongst several other injuries - which put his career at risk. He was off the peloton for almost a year, and in 2024 returned to the American team's World Tour structure.
He has repaid its confidence, winning at this year's Tirreno-Adriatico and then once again at the Giro d'Italia, both from breakaways - aside from being a road captain and important rider for the team's cobbled classics campaigns. Now, he joins compatriot Peter Oxenberg at INEOS.
“I'm really looking forward to joining such a special organization, where no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of performance. I believe the environment and resources here can help me find those extra few percent to raise my level and continue fighting for victories".
Valgren as an experienced figure within INEOS
Valgren comes in to fill not only a performance-guided spot in the team, but also one in guiding the British squad's many young riders. The long years he has spent at the top level will be valuable for INEOS development moviing forward.
“Just as importantly, I want to use my experience to help bring the group together, support our collective efforts in races and guide the talented young riders coming through the team. That's something I'm really motivated by," he confirms.
“I'm also really looking forward to working with Geraint Thomas, someone I've admired throughout my career. His dedication and work ethic have always been a source of inspiration for me, and I hope I can play my part in carrying on the legacy he's built within the team.”
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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