One of Netcompany INEOS key domestiques seems set for a new adventure in the mountain team of Paul Seixas
CyclingWednesday, 22 July 2026 at 11:27
Following the unsettling 2026 campaign of Netcompany INEOS, large changes to their roster are to be expected in 2026. According to journalist Daniel Benson, the experienced Belgian climber Laurens De Plus is to be among the departures.
The British formation will undergo several changes next winter, and the new plans don't count on De Plus's services.
According to Benson, the growing Decathlon CMA CGM has pointed its finger at the 30-year-old as a key stone for their future GC goals around Paul Seixas. The team with a notable Belgian base would sign De Plus on a two-year deal.
Looking at Decathlon's rumoured transfers out, Gregor Mühlberger - key to Felix Gall's Giro second place - should be heading to Lidl-Trek alongside his compatriot. De Plus, in this case, can be viewed as close to a one-for-one replacement for the experienced Austrian climber. As for Gall, either Ben O'Connor or Giulio Ciccone (also linked to UAE) seems to be a possible replacement.
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The career of Laurens De Plus kicked off at Soudal - Quick-Step. Still, his only professional victory came in the colours of Jumbo-Visma when he won the general classification of the 2019 BinckBank Tour (now Renewi Tour).
During his six seasons with Netcompany INEOS, he enjoyed several highs, such as a top-10 finish at the 2023 Giro d'Italia, fifth at the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné, and, most recently, 3rd overall at the 2025 Volta ao Algarve. But his career had just as many lows, in particular caused by injuries that caused De Plus to miss out on large parts of the 2020, 2021, and 2025 seasons.
Ultimately, this has caused the Belgian rider to unlock his full potential in the mountains and the Classics only rarely, and instead to become a reliable domestique who contributed to Geraint Thomas' Giro 2023 podium, among others.
This season has once again not been among De Plus's fortunate ones, with health only barely holding up due to a limited preparation after a forced break at the end of 2025. De Plus has so far completed 33 race days, but a 26th place at the Tour de Romandie is his best GC result.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- Usual suspectsMistermaumau22-07-2026
- So what happens to your mini Pog DT then?Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- Too many problems to solve over at MandisU to focus on cycling.Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- That’s kind of BS MM! You should inform yourself before spewing crap out. Maybe it wasn’t at the time yours was but they can’t do everyone simultaneously. The fact you got chosen is kind of proof the criteria aren’t as suspicious as some make out since neither you nor your team are particularly dangerous in any racing aspect. 150+ other riders also haven’t had 5am sessions, why pick out a single rider?Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- E20,900 so far...... some teams haven't earned that in prize money yet, maybe need to list the UCI Fines in the total prize fundsslappers6622-07-2026
- Cool story bro, love your work. 😘
Andrew22-07-2026 - I’ll take my tongue out my cheek for the next few comments.Andrew22-07-2026
- Evanapoel is certainly on a high. Stage 18 is going to be interesting.Cyclingsbestfan22-07-2026
- Or he could go to UAE and develop there, but I am a fan of UAE and Pogi so my view is biased. Pogi would be his good mentor, and Seixas could take over in 2030, when Pogi retires, after winning TdF 9X. :))mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales22-07-2026
- I always know what you're thinkng. I also know what your twin brother, frieder3, is thinking. Oh you poor souls, I pity both of you. You should both eat fatty fish salmon, for omega-3s, and blueberries for antioxidants. They do wonders :))mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales22-07-2026
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