Oscar Rodriguez announced as new INEOS Grenadiers rider: "To ride with guys like Egan and Geraint, who have both won the Tour de France, will be a real honour"

After contract extensions for both Carlos Rodriguez and Geraint Thomas, plus the arrival of American wonderkid Andrew August, INEOS Grenadiers have now officially announced the signing of Oscar Rodriguez from Movistar Team.

"We are delighted to welcome Oscar to the INEOS Grenadiers family. Over the years he’s consistently demonstrated his talent and ability to support his teammates over tough, mountainous terrain," said Rod Ellingworth, Deputy Team Principal of the INEOS Grenadiers on their team's official website. "He has the tenacity to seize an opportunity when it’s presented and take victories of his own – a characteristic we encourage in our riders. He will further strengthen our roster, and I’m sure his cool head and upbeat personality will be a great fit with our rider group."

For Rodriguez himself, the chance to join the British-based team was simply one he could not turn down. "I’m really happy to be joining the INEOS Grenadiers. It’s always been a dream of mine to be part of this Team, one of the best in the world, and so this is a pretty special feeling," says the 28-year-old, former Vuelta a Espana stage winner.

"The mountains are my natural habitat so that’s where I hope to provide the most support to the team. I can’t wait to be out there pushing it on the climbs with my team-mates wearing an INEOS jersey. It’s going to be fun!" Rodriguez concludes. "To ride with guys like Egan and Geraint, who have both won the Tour de France, will be a real honour. I’m looking forward to learning from both of them, and using their knowledge to help improve myself as a rider."