The one week in spring that all general classification riders eye is just around the corner. Next week of racing will be filled with action as dual-programme of Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice centralizes the cycling action in mid-March. The importance of these two stage races can be felt through the reputation of riders lining up for some of the biggest teams, including INEOS Grenadiers.
The Paris-Nice is traditionally the first race to start already this Sunday, overlapping with the Strade Bianche. That means no Tadej Pogacar on French roads (at least in-race). For INEOS, this is a clear signal to jump after an opportunity to try and secure a top result at the end of next Sunday.
That is reflected in a nomination filled with star riders of which every single one could aim for a success in one stage or another.
Of course, a GC result will be a priority for the British team. Their main weapons in this year's battle will be Carlos Rodríguez and newcomers Oscar Onley with Kévin Vauquelin. Whether this trident can find a way to defeat the final boss that is two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard, remains to be seen.
The current shape of INEOS leaders
Of the INEOS leaders, Carlos Rodríguez had seemingly the best start to a new season with a second place overall at Tour de la Provence, losing only to Matthew Riccitello on Montagne de Lure.
However Oscar Onley's leadership bid looks just as good, if not better, after the Volta ao Algarve. The Brit finished "only" 4th overall after a let-down time trial performance, but his runner-up result on stage 5 final climb to Malhão (beating Paul Seixas and Joao Almeida among others) provides a reason for optimism, especially as this year's edition of Paris-Nice could favor more explosive cyclists without a big summit finish.
Last but not least, Kévin Vauquelin would certainly like to have his shout on home roads, however his performances in Algarve, outside a strong time trial (6th), were a clear level behind teammate Onley. And so, even though Vauquelin finished 5th overall in Portugal (particularly thanks to that ITT performance), he'll start Paris-Nice from an outsider position.
An important point of the 2026 Paris-Nice is predicted to be the stage 3 team time trial over the course of 23.5 kilometers. It is bound to be a stage where the race cannot be won, but it can be lost easily. That is what prompted INEOS to nominate a time trial machine Joshua Tarling, whose job over the coming week will be to make sure his leaders don't get caught off on the wind, nor do they lose time against the clock.
Dorian Godon could become the first overall leader of the race on stage 1
Not without a chance of an individual result will be French champion Dorian Godon whose all-round qualities combined a strong sprint could be the right recipe on stage 1. And British sprinter Sam Watson is in about the same position. The seven-man lineup is completed by a reliable domestique Michal Kwiatkowski who will miss out on his favourite race Strade Bianche to fulfill his team duties in France.
INEOS Grenadiers for Paris-Nice 2026:
- Dorian Godon
- Michal Kwiatkowski
- Oscar Onley
- Carlos Rodríguez
- Joshua Tarling
- Kévin Vauquelin
- Sam Watson
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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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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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We're ready for @ParisNice 🇫🇷☀️ Here are your Grenadiers taking on the Race to the Sun 👊
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