"We are in a pretty decent position" - INEOS think of game-plan ahead of decisive Alpine stages
Cycling
INEOS Grenadiers are heading into the second week with three riders in the fight for the overall classification, and are on track to employ their climbing depth strategy. Having so far a consistent and conservative approach to the race, the British team keep many weapons in reserve for the mountains.
“I’m sure Steve [Cummings] will come up with his game plan now, I think we are in a pretty decent position. I think these three lads will be pretty happy with that," Ellingworth said at the end of stage nine. With Daniel Martínez having lost contact with the GC fight, the team still remains solid in the Top10 with third, fourth and seventh spot.
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Those come from Geraint Thomas, Adam Yates and Tom Pidcock respectively who have so far avoided major mishaps in the race, aswell as significant time losses and all remain very valid options for the podium and Top5 fight. INEOS find themselves in a position where if they want to go for the Tour win they must attack, however they have the riders to stay conservative for the time being if they want to keep their possibilities of attacking the higher spots alive.
Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard seem for the time being the overwhelming strongest climbers in the race, and the British team's tactics may take that into consideration when discussing goals. A current place in the podium with Geraint Thomas is likely something the team doesn't want to loose, and currently the possibilities of having a stronger result are very low - although much can happen in two weeks.
As for Pidcock, who will be heading to new grounds having a GC tilt at a Grand Tour, Ellingworth commented: “The thing with Tom is that it’s a bit the land of the unknown after the first rest day so we don’t know what we’re going to get. It’s just about experience with him," he said. The British multi-talented rider is not unknown to thrive in the high mountains, however at such a level it will be the first time he will be up against such names.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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parisbound0001-11-2026 - How can medical staff act like that? pretty disgraceful! the guys down and they're near seeing him off ;/
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santiagobenites01-11-2026 - What a great race! Couldn't look away. Can't wait for the eurosRafionain-Glas01-11-2026
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What a brilliant ride in the break from @jcastroviejo. He finishes strong to take second place behind solo winner Jungels. G, Adam and Tom come home shortly after in a select peloton #TDF2022
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