INEOS lose another gem - British team's major cycling transfer market overhaul including big-name signings, crucial renewals and departures
Cycling
Netcompany INEOS continues to shape its roster for the 2027 season, with the British team emerging as one of the headline players in the transfer market. Pending official announcements, the squad is undergoing a major overhaul that blends key signings, crucial renewals, and several high-profile departures.
The latest update from cycling transfer specialist Daniel Benson points to the exit of American rider Artem Shmidt, who will head to NSN Cycling Team on a multi-year deal. The 22-year-old, seen as one of the brightest prospects in US cycling, will leave the British setup after two seasons of steady progression.
Shmidt joined INEOS from Hagens Berman Jayco and has delivered eye-catching rides this year, especially against the clock. He was seventh in the UAE Tour time trial, took his first pro win at the Classique Dunkerque, and finished ninth overall at the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. His new team should give him more freedom to hunt stage wins and lean into his strengths as a rouleur and aggressive racer.
Departures keep adding up
Shmidt won’t be the only significant loss, according to Benson. American Andrew August will also leave to join Pinarello Q36.5, while veteran climber Laurens De Plus has a deal in place with Decathlon.
Meanwhile, several riders’ futures remain unclear. Bob Jungels looks set to depart and is still searching for a team for next season, while Óscar Rodríguez has yet to receive a renewal offer, leaving his continuity in doubt.
It’s not all farewells at Netcompany INEOS. Management is also working to secure the continuity of several key riders within the project.
Numerous moves at Netcompany INEOS.
Renewals keep core together and high-calibre reinforcements
Benson indicates that Egan Bernal, Axel Laurance, Connor Swift, Sam Watson, and Brandon Rivera are set to renew their contracts, forming the backbone on which the British team plans to build its new sporting project.
On the recruitment front, Netcompany INEOS is closing in on the signings of Markel Beloki from EF Education-EasyPost, Harold Tejada from XDS Astana, and Michael Valgren, also from EF Education-EasyPost.
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They could be joined by other names still resonating in the market. Clément Champoussin has been linked with the British squad, while American Riley Sheehan also features among possible additions. Likewise, young Spanish talent Benjamín Noval is close to joining as a major bet for the future.
With so many moving pieces, Netcompany INEOS faces a decisive summer to finalise a roster that will blend experience, rising prospects, and new leaders, aiming to return to WorldTour-winning ways from 2027.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- I have no sympathy for Ayuso or the situations he gets himself into. He was a traitor in the UAE team, he hated Pogi and never wanted to work for him. He always had excuses why he couldn't perform. No riders in the team liked his character and did not approve the kind of person he was on a deep, moral, or personal level. I just don't care about him. Ad acta.PogiSloFans11-11-2026
- Great response! I love the article also. Interesting to see which "Legends" will be covered. There are a few out there :-)
DareDevil11-11-2026 - This is one of the reasons why Ineos is failing, G can comment on his pod but why has he not attracted talent from the peloton to Ineos. He has lot of inside track. Also ratcliffe handling of Man United is also disastrous.abstractengineer11-11-2026
- Theirs a few on the team who may be able to step up/progress to Grand Tour wins but that'll come, not in '27 tho 🤷 - Roglic mayve appealed on a 2 yr for immediate results but other riders would be set aside and the existing riders wouldn't like that
leedorney11-11-2026 - Hey @santiagobenites, that's why @leedorney is wrong. He doesn't see the bigger picture.PogiSloFans11-11-2026
- the rot started in 2022 with Bernal's accident Signings- Just super helpers and non winners. Foss GC Leaders - Reliance on injured Bernal and retiring G Talents - On domestique duty dont learn how to win. Sprinters - No top Sprinter signed Tactics- Outdated Save the leader, trains. Just money badly spent even though there were opportunitiesabstractengineer11-11-2026
- Whole team is a mess. They don't have any really top tier "podium lock" GT riders, and they don't really have a solid classics block. Just a bunch of spare parts. I don't know why any rider would go for them either. Feels like old mate with the money is likely to pull out at any given moment, and that doesn't bode well for their ability to jack up their budget and say "let's buy half a dozen shit-hot talents to ride support/lead our team" - which is what they probably need to do to get competitive again.wrsty11-11-2026
- Pogi is a Goat. He has power numbers that are once in a century. Jonas is a once in a generation, He has power numbers 1 level lower than Pogi. Even if both are equal which they were before 2024, Pogi would have won on sprint bonuses. For Jonas to win he has to crack Pogi, which is impossible. Therefore Giro is a good option considering the TT in TDF. He cannot win but if something happens to Pogi , he should be still in a position to win the TDF, Giro or no Giro, because the others are a level below him.abstractengineer11-11-2026
- for what?frieders311-11-2026
- Blah blah blah!frieders311-11-2026
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