No grand ambitions at INEOS: "First let him win a stage in the Star of Bessèges"

"We are happy to have survived 2024 well. It was a reset year, where we started well but struggled from the summer on," CEO John Allert began to tell HLN. Carlos Rodríguez's seventh-place finish at the Tour de France was certainly not enough. At INEOS, they think the reason can be found in the many new staff members.

"Sixty percent of our performance squad is new. Scientists with little background in the course have joined, but perhaps that's precisely where the magic can happen." Other staff members left. Steve Cummings was forced out after the Pidcock affair, and Xabier Artetxe, Bernal's mentor, and other Spanish speakers were also shown the door.

But the subject is closed. However, Pidcock's departure was still talked about. "I think the whole Tom [Pidcock] topic, you know, might be one for a book in 10 years. But in terms of newsworthiness, I think we're certainly moving on," Allert told Cyclingnews. "We parted ways amicably with Tom. We've got a lot of respect for Tom. Tom's an amazing talent; I've said that 100 times as well. I personally left on very good terms with Tom from when we last spoke and we wish him well. That's kind of really that story in a nutshell."

With Narváez and Pidcock's departures, the team lost two of its three best riders of 2024, while with Axel Laurance, only one potential multiple-winner was recruited. As a result, a substantial increase in wins in 2025 does not sound very plausible, yet that is the goal.

Another goal is to perform in the rankings. "We try to do as well as we can and chase the podium," Performance Director Scott Drawer told HLN. "Egan had a difficult comeback after his bad crash in 2022, but he made significant progress again this winter. Carlos won the Tour de Romandie last year but could not continue that top form after a Covid infection in the Tour and then the Vuelta."

This year is going to be different. "We are confident that both can take another step forward this year. We also have young talents in the waiting room who may be able to surprise. Also, Bernal, Pogacar, and Vingegaard were inexperienced when they immediately performed top in their first grand tour."

Filippo Ganna revealed earlier that he has big goals for the spring and expects to win the Tour. INEOS also sees opportunities for Joshua Tarling and Laurance. We hope Tarling can already perform in the cobbled classics, but we don't want to miss any steps in his process. The same goes for Laurance in the hill classics. Axel dreams of winning Milan-Sanremo and Amstel, but let him start by trying to win a stage in the Star of Bessèges.