INEOS transfer bombshell - Key Movistar rider reportedly set to join British team despite contract running until 2028
CyclingSunday, 30 August 2026 at 11:30
Javier Romo could be at the center of one of the most surprising moves of the transfer market. The Spanish rider, currently with Movistar Team, is negotiating a possible switch to Netcompany Ineos, according to Daniel Benson. It is a particularly striking development because Romo is still under contract with the Spanish outfit for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
The report lands as a genuine bombshell for Movistar. Romo is a key rider within the Spanish structure and one of the few on the roster to have won a WorldTour race in recent years. He did so at the 2025 Tour Down Under, where he won a stage and underlined his ability to compete and win at the highest level.
The situation is complex. With his Movistar Team contract running through 2027 and 2028, any departure during that period would require the green light from the Spanish team. As Benson explains, Movistar and Netcompany Ineos would need to reach an agreement for a transfer to go through, and the Spanish squad would likely demand financial compensation.
This is therefore not a straightforward signing of a free agent. If talks progress, Romo would leave Movistar before his contract expires and Netcompany Ineos would need to strike a deal with the Navarre-based structure.
Javier Romo, a Movistar Team rider.
A major blow to Movistar’s rebuild
The potential exit also comes at a delicate time for Movistar Team. The squad is deep into a major rebuild and has clearly bet on bringing in young talent for the future. Mateo Ramírez, Hugo de la Calle, Iván Cobo, Javier Cubillas, and Mads Landbo are part of that new generation shaping the Spanish structure.
Romo, 27, represented something different: a rider already established at WorldTour level, with experience and a proven capacity to deliver major results.
That is one of the keys to this story. Movistar would not simply be parting with another member of its roster. It would be negotiating the exit of one of its leaders and a prime potential source of UCI points.
Netcompany Ineos target a rider who already knows how to win
For Netcompany Ineos, the move makes complete sense. Romo has shown he can fight for top-tier victories and take on responsibility within a WorldTour team.
His triumph at the 2025 Tour Down Under is the clearest example, but his value goes beyond a single win. The Spaniard has proved he can perform in stage races and on demanding terrain, a particularly attractive profile for a structure looking to regain prominence.
We now wait to see whether the talks advance towards an agreement. What is clear is that Javier Romo, one of the key names in the present and near future of Movistar Team, could unexpectedly become a headline figure in the transfer market.
If he does change teams, it would be one of the most surprising moves of the entire 2027 market.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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