OFFICIAL: Netcompany INEOS lose one of its leaders, who reinforces Quick-Step's sprint and classics block
CyclingWednesday, 16 September 2026 at 10:36
Ben Turner is leaving Netcompany INEOS after several years spent in the British team. The classics specialist and sprinter has signed a new three-year deal with Soudal - Quick-Step, despite the added competition he will face.
“We have been following Ben for quite some time now and realized that he is the type of rider that would immediately find his place in our team," team CEO Jurgen Foré said in a press release.
As early as April, there had been reported that Turner might be joining the Belgian team. If any doubts were left, the Briton's domestique role during the Giro d'Italia - specially his tearful stage 4 interview - was quite telling that rider and team were not on the same page.
That day, Turner sacrificed his chances for a Giro victory to bring a dropped Egan Bernal back to the peloton. During 2026, Turner rarely seemed to show the level he had the year prior, and at the recent Vuelta a España he only featured amongst the best on stage 8 - where Tadej Pogacar crashed out - before he himself abandoned the race. With no races on his upcoming program, the decision to join Quick-Step has now been made public.
"Ben has the right mindset and character to join the Wolfpack. He is someone who can perform in the Classics and in stage-races, but also help the squad in a wide range of races, and that’s why we are excited he will race with us through 2029. We still think he has the capacity to improve even more, and we hope he’ll hit new heights in the coming years as part of our squad”
Ben Turner at the 2026 Giro d'Italia
A dream come true for Turner
“Obviously, for me it’s a big privilege to join Soudal - Quick-Step, a team which I’ve always dreamed of being part of since being small and watching the Classics together with my dad," the 27-year old said.
"Even after I turned professional, it was a team I was always looking at to see what they were doing in the races and always keeping an eye on them.”
Turning pro in 2021 at Trinity Racing, Turner joined the INEOS structure the following year, first as a classics rider and domestique throughout the year. In 2025 however, the project was to develop his sprinting abilities which, combined with his climbing talent, made him one of the most versatile finishers in the peloton.
That earned him a win and points classification at the Tour de Pologne, before he would be a last-minute addition to the Vuelta a España, where he won stage 3 right away as his Grand Tour victory debut.
“After discussing with Jurgen and the team, I realized quickly that we are on the same page, that’s why I’m super excited to be part of this organization from 2027. I want to develop myself into a better rider here, try to win races, and help the squad get victories. I’m looking forward to being part of this environment and racing for Soudal Quick-Step, it’s something that gives me a massive motivation for next season”.
Another key loss for INEOS
INEOS, who have not yet made any of its signings public, continues on a downward trend regarding its transfer season. Bob Jungels and Ben Swift have confirmed their upcoming retirement, but the team has been confirmed to lose four riders: Turner and American duo Andrew August and Artem Schmidt; whilst Victor Langellotti departed the team in a mid-season move.
It is expected that Laurens de Plus will join Decathlon, whilst the likes of Egan Bernal, Magnus Sheffield and Tobias Foss are under doubt of staying in the team.
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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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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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