INEOS prepare to make big transfer market move - French climber close to signing three-year deal to bolster Grand Tour and stage race roster
CyclingTuesday, 11 August 2026 at 12:00
Netcompany Ineos is close to signing Clément Champoussin from XDS Astana, one of several moves the British team is preparing to strengthen its roster for the coming seasons. The French climber could become one of the new pieces in a project taking shape with significant additions and renewals.
The information comes from transfer specialist journalist Daniel Benson, who reports that Netcompany Ineos has tabled a three-year offer for Champoussin. According to this report, negotiations are advanced and, if the deal is finalized, the contract could be signed in the coming weeks.
Champoussin, 28, would bring experience and climbing strength to a team aiming to bolster its options both at the Grand Tours and in stage races. The Frenchman, currently with XDS Astana, thus emerges as one of the next moves on the market.
Netcompany Ineos has also decided to line up at the Czech Tour with a stronger roster than initially planned. According to Benson, the aim could be to impress a potential new sponsor.
The British squad has selected a line-up including several riders earmarked for the upcoming Vuelta a España, among them AJ August, Jack Haig, and Ben Turner.
In addition, Oscar Onley, Josh Tarling, and Carlos Rodríguez are also candidates for the team’s Vuelta selection. The Czech Tour commitment therefore appears driven not only by sporting goals, but also by a forward-looking strategy for the project.
Major moves for 2027
Champoussin’s potential signing would not be the only move by Netcompany Ineos. The British structure already has several additions lined up for next season.
The incoming riders would include:
| Rider | Current team |
| Michael Valgren | EF Education-EasyPost |
| Joseph Blackmore | NSN Cycling Team |
| Markel Beloki | EF Education-EasyPost |
| Harold Tejada | XDS Astana |
| Benjamín Noval | MMR Academy |
| Clément Champoussin* | XDS Astana |
* Signing pending confirmation and signature.
The arrival of Blackmore, one of the peloton’s brightest young prospects, and the addition of experienced riders such as Valgren and Tejada deepen a squad heading for a significant refresh.
Markel Beloki, INEOS signing for 2027
Continuity also assured
Netcompany Ineos will not limit itself to new signings. The team also plans to retain several of its current key pieces.
According to Daniel Benson, Sam Watson, Connor Swift, Brandon Smith Rivera, Tobias Foss, Egan Bernal, and Axel Laurance will remain in the structure.
In this way, the British project blends youth, experience, and continuity, with Champoussin as a piece that could complete a particularly interesting block for stage races.
If the deal with the Frenchman is confirmed, Netcompany Ineos would add another climber to a roster undergoing a deep transformation, with several signings already in motion and a clear focus on strengthening its mountain options and Grand Tour ambitions.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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