Onley, Rodríguez and Vauquelin link up to lead INEOS Grenadiers at Paris-Nice

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.

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.

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.