Tom Pidcock reunited with INEOS Grenadiers teammates at Manchester United - Chelsea

Yesterday took place the first contact of the INEOS Grenadiers team in preparation for the 2025 season. We could see on social media some riders of the British team enjoying in Old Trafford the duel between Manchester United and Chelsea that ended with a 1-1 draw. Tom Pidcock was back together with the team.

We saw soccer-loving Egan Bernal enjoying the duel and now we know, as reported by Daniel Benson, that Tom Pidcock was part of the group. This is his first appearance with the team since he was controversially de-selected before Il Lombardia when he was clearly one of the favorites to get a podium finish and the absolute team leader. He had been showing his best form in months and was just off a second place at the Giro dell'Emilia.

With rumours swarming social media that Pidcock was in contacts with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, a departure seemed imminent as it was quickly reported that several other teams were also in contacts, and his non-selection was purely a management decision with no reason being given.

Despite having three years of contract remaining, it looked like a move could happen, with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe also a very possible destination. The Q36.5 negotiations seemed to have fallen through despite the strong signs, and over the past few weeks the storm has settled. It seems increasingly more likely that the Briton will actually stay with INEOS for the time being as the team begin it's preparations for the 2025 season.

The team will be going through a reconstruction in terms of staff and goals, moving away from it's past Grand Tour glory days and now into focusing more on the classics, time-trials and smaller stage-races. In terms of sprinters the team has made no significant moves this winter, whilst the signings were very modest. Several staff members have left the team, including Egan Bernal and Carlos Rodríguez' coach, and new ones will be coming in in a year where the team is set to make a change.