Netcompany INEOS on the brink of losing another rider - Second contract breaking in two months likely to happen
CyclingSaturday, 19 September 2026 at 13:52
Netcompany INEOS might be close to losing another of its riders in a mid-contract move. According to journalist Daniel Benson, Sam Welsford is set to leave the British team at the end of this season, despite being in the first of his two-year contract.
Welsford turned professional back in 2014, but for the first years of his career as a pro, he focused almost exclusively on the track. He has done this with great success, taking three world titles in the team pursuit with Australia over the years, whilst also winning the Scratch world title back in 2020. He is also a multi-time Olympic medalist.
At 26 years of age, Welsford made the move full-time onto the road following the Tokyo Olympic Games. He signed a two-year deal with DSM first (now Team Picnic PostNL); then a two-year deal with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe; and more recently another two years with Netcompany INEOS.
INEOS signed the Australian sprinter after struggling to maintain a presence in the sprints all-year round. In 2025 they signed Caleb Ewan, but the 'pocket rocket's stay in the team lasted only months as he retired mid-season. Ben Turner has developed as a strong option, but regularly featuring only on the sprints in the hilly days.
Sam Welsford might be close to leaving Netcompany INEOS
Sam Weslford to Jayco AlUla?
The team, into 2026, hence looked to sign Sam Welsford. As the Australian wouldn't be renewed at Red Bull, INEOS became interested as a separate contract didn't appear likely. It was only in mid-December that the signing was confirmed.
At the time, a two-year deal. Welsford, as usual, began his season in the Australian block. He won a stage at the Tour Down Under, which ended up being the highlight of his stay with the British team thus far. He managed to finish on the podium of a sprint at the UAE Tour and the Copenhagen Sprint; and came closing to winning at Tirreno-Adriatico, but has not taken a win in European soil.
Throughout many races, Welsford was placed in the role of a domestique, which included a presence at the cobbled classics campaign - with a place at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Nothing would indicate a departure, but the renowned journalist has received information that Welsford might sign with Team Jayco AlUla.
INEOS might lose another rider mid-contract
The British team has had the departures of Ben Turner, Andrew August and Artem Shmidt confirmed. Victor Langellotti, who began the 2026 season as a rider for INEOS, is no longer part of it.
The Monegasque had a two-year deal of his own, but this ended in August as the now-Astana rider was keen on starting at the Vuelta a España, which began in his home nation. INEOS might now lose a second rider in the middle of the agreement that both struck in recent years.
Benjamin Noval Jr. is the only rider INEOS have already confirmed to sign into the 2027 season. Whilst they have not publicly announced any other, it has been possible to understand that Clément Champoussin, Harold Tejada, Michael Valgren, Javier Romo, Markel Beloki, Javier Romo and Riley Sheehan should join the team. Notably, no sprinters...
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.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
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)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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