Netcompany INEOS continue squad rebuild with long-term signing of one of Britain's brightest prospects
CyclingTuesday, 04 August 2026 at 01:00
Netcompany INEOS looks to have secured another important piece of its long-term rebuild. According to cycling transfer journalist Daniel Benson, British talent Joseph Blackmore has signed a long-term contract with Dave Brailsford's team, adding another highly-rated young rider to a squad that is being reshaped ahead of the 2027 season.
Netcompany INEOS continues ambitious rebuild
Blackmore's expected arrival comes amid sweeping changes at Netcompany INEOS. The British squad has emerged as one of the main protagonists of this year's transfer market, combining high-profile signings with important contract renewals while also preparing to say goodbye to several established names.
On the incoming side, the team has already been linked with Markel Beloki from EF Education-EasyPost, Harold Tejada from XDS Astana and Michael Valgren, while Clément Champoussin and Riley Sheehan have also been mentioned as possible additions. Promising Spanish youngster Benjamín Noval is likewise understood to be close to joining the project.
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At the same time, management is expected to retain several key riders. Egan Bernal, Axel Laurance, Connor Swift, Sam Watson and Brandon Rivera are all reportedly set to extend their contracts, providing continuity as the team looks to build a new core capable of returning to the front of WorldTour racing.
There have also been significant departures. American prospect Artem Shmidt is reportedly heading to NSN Cycling Team after two seasons with INEOS, while fellow American Andrew August is expected to join Pinarello Q36.5. Laurens De Plus is also set to leave for Decathlon, with the futures of Bob Jungels and Óscar Rodríguez remaining uncertain.
Blackmore is one of Britain's most exciting prospects
One of Britain's brightest young talents
Still only 23 years old, Blackmore has long been regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in British cycling. After progressing through the development ranks with Israel-Premier Tech Academy, he enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 season that established him as one of the standout riders of his generation.
His biggest success came at the Tour de l'Avenir, often regarded as the Tour de France for under-23 riders. Blackmore claimed the overall victory after producing a series of impressive climbing performances, becoming the first British winner of the race since Simon Yates in 2013.
That triumph capped an outstanding campaign in which he also won Liège-Bastogne-Liège Espoirs, one of the most prestigious one-day races on the under-23 calendar. Earlier in the season, he dominated the Tour du Rwanda by taking both the overall classification and multiple stage victories before adding the overall title at the Tour de Taiwan.
However, his first full season at WorldTour level in 2025 proved much quieter, without adding another victory to his palmarès. His momentum has also been interrupted in 2026, with the Briton barely racing so far this season due to physical setbacks. In fact, he made his season debut at the Clásica de San Sebastián on Saturday, which he did not finish.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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