INEOS Grenadiers finally launch their own development team with new Racing Academy

Teams such as Visma | Lease a Bike, Lidl-Trek, UAE Team Emirates – XRG and Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe have long had their own development squads. That made it all the more surprising that a top team like INEOS Grenadiers did not. But the British outfit has finally taken the plunge: the INEOS Grenadiers Racing Academy has been launched, giving the team its own dedicated talent pipeline.

INEOS Grenadiers previously worked with the German development team Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank, offering young riders a pathway into professional cycling. Now, however, the WorldTour team has taken the next step. Like other development teams, the Racing Academy will compete at Continental level. “The academy system played a major role in shaping my career,” said Geraint Thomas, Director of Racing at INEOS Grenadiers.

"It taught me how to be a pro - looking after myself, staying healthy, being organised and preparing properly," he explains. "All those simple habits and behaviours have stayed with me throughout my career. For me, the priority is helping young riders learn what it means to be a professional. Some are living away from home for the first time, some have moved across the world, so there’s a lot for them to take on."

The new team will include some familiar names. "We have signed some exciting guys to the Racing Academy, and seeing all of them together for the first time, felt like I was stepping back 20 years. I could picture myself sitting where they are now, with the whole journey ahead of them. They’re young, keen and it’s brilliant to have them integrated with the WorldTour team.”

The Racing Academy will consist of twelve riders. Among them is Theodor Storm, who raced for the WorldTour team in 2024 before later being moved back to Lotto Kern-Haus. Another notable name is Cameron Rogers. The Australian previously rode for Lidl-Trek and impressed with second place in the prologue of the Tour of Holland, as well as fourth place in the longer individual time trial.