UPDATE: INEOS Grenadiers confirms millionaire signing of Oscar Onley, with Tour de France success in mind

One of the big transfers of the winter is now confirmed. Oscar Onley is heading to INEOS Grenadiers after the British team's relentless pursuit of the incredible British climber who has finished fourth at this year's Tour de France. At age 23, Onley could become the team's new main project in search for a Tour de France victory.

“Our team is all about getting the most out of our riders, and we have a credible track record of doing so. What Oscar has achieved this year is testament to that," the team's head coach Rudi Kemna said in a press release.

"We of course would have loved to have kept Oscar but knowing the young riders in our team and those coming through our Development program, we’re confident that the next generation is on the brink of becoming world-class riders.”

This marks another mid-contract breaking for the Dutch team, although a very hefty financial compensation is in order. It is well earned too, as Picnic developed the Scottish rider, who this year finished fourth at the Tour de France in an unprecedented display of talent in the three-week races.

INEOS, looking for a new leader for the Grand Tours and figure to center their block around, found in Onley an excellent rider to fill in the spot. As a Briton, there are lots of factors that have contributed to this. Only this week, it has been confirmed by Remco Evenepoel himself that INEOS attempted to buy the Belgian's contract in 2023, unsuccessfully, but this time around they have played their cards successfully.

There is no ambiguity in the words of the Scottish rider. He is heading to INEOS Grenadiers, confirmed before the team has announced it: “I’m extremely proud of what I’ve achieved with this team. Progressing through from the Development program to finishing 4th at the Tour de France has been incredible, and a real testament to what this team is able to do with riders". 

He does not leave the team on bad terms, but it was simply unviable for Team Picnic PostNL to keep its leader in the current environment, where financial difficulties are present, and the arguments against a team with a much greater budget and supporting platform are very significant. Reportedly, there is a €7 million euro buyout, although this value could differ. This will ultimately allow the team to have further stability in future years.

"Both Team Picnic PostNL and INEOS Grenadiers have a great history of racing for victories in Grand Tours, and I know for a fact that both my current and new team will continue to do so in the coming years. The opportunity to represent the team of my home country was one I could not refuse and I’m happy that a solution was found. I’ll hold the memories made with this team close, and I know I’ll face tough competition from the next generation of talents they develop in the years to come," he concluded.

A few minutes after the Dutch team confirmed the move, INEOS has fulfilled their part in the announcement. “Oscar’s performance in 2025 has been incredible really. I rode my first Tour when I was 21, so to see what he achieved at this year’s Tour at just 22 was really impressive," team director of racing Geraint Thomas said. Since the years of Chris Froome and later Adam Yates, the team hasn't had British riders lead the team's high ambitions in the three-week races. That changes in 2026.

"The way he rides and understands a race is mature beyond his years – he’s a proper racer. I can’t wait to work with him – at his age there’s still loads of headroom. Our whole team has worked really hard over the winter to re-focus and re-set our ambition, changing our structures and processes to help us deliver against our goals. Oscar fits naturally with this project – and I’m confident the new system we’re building will help him achieve his absolute best," Thomas assures.

"The strongest teams I ever rode with had multiple, talented GC riders, and that’s what I feel we have now – super strong options for any stage of the race. Oscar complements our rider roster perfectly, and it feels like we’re really on our way now.”

Onley himself is thrilled with the opportunity he has gotten, straight into the lead of one of the sport's top teams: “I grew up watching Geraint, Dave (Brailsford, ed.) and the team dominate the sport and put cycling on the map in the UK, so I am really proud to be joining the Grenadiers on a long-term deal, which will also mean racing for a British team when the Tour de France departs from Scotland in 2027," he explains, with a Grand Depart in Edinburgh already confirmed.

“I want to thank Team Picnic PostNL for all their support, I’m really proud of what we have achieved together. I’ll miss my friends in the team and hold the memories made with them close, and I know I’ll face tough competition from the next generation of talent they develop in the years to come.”