Valgren's 2026 revival led to a dream transfer and big INEOS ambitions: 'Not ready to be a luxury support rider yet'
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Follow us on GoogleMichael Valgren has undoubtedly secured one of the most surprising transfers of the winter. After years of injury woes, the 34-year-old Dane made an impressive comeback in 2026, earning himself a contract with Netcompany INEOS. In an interview with TV2, Valgren shares his expectations for his time with the British team.
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Valgren won the Tirreno in March 2026
Valgren has enjoyed 12 years of success at the top level
Valgren's career reads like a good movie. The Dane joined Tinkoff-Saxo in 2014 as a rising star and immediately claimed the Danish national title in his first year as a pro.
That same season, he won the Tour of Denmark and repeated the feat two years later.
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His move to Astana in 2017 certainly paid off. Valgren made his mark in the classics and pulled off surprise victories at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Amstel Gold Race in 2018, and a bright future seemed to lie ahead for him.
However, physical discomfort and the emergence of a new generation of top riders stood somewhat in the way of that.
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Michael Valgren at Dimension Data
Valgren strikes back with two victories in 2026
Valgren joined EF Education-EasyPost via Dimension Data and won two major Italian fall races in 2021. Just as he seemed to be on his way back to his former peak form in 2022, disaster struck at La Route d'Occitanie.
Valgren broke his femur and was ultimately sidelined for 40 (!) weeks. Returning to top form took a long time, and getting even better in an increasingly competitive cycling world took even longer.
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In 2026, however, Valgren made a comeback in cycling. He won a stage at the Tirreno-Adriatico and added a stage victory at the Giro d'Italia in May.
Valgren then went on to compete in the Tour de France and ultimately earned a two-year contract with Netcompany INEOS. “It’s a team I’ve always wanted to be a part of, so in many ways it feels like I’ve come full circle,” he said.
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Valgren won the Tirreno in March.
Valgren picks the Giro d'Italia over the Tour de France
Valgren had already said he was looking forward to working with Geraint Thomas in the quest for “that extra few percent to raise my level and continue competing for victories.”
Speaking to TV2, he now adds: “I’ve always been fascinated by their approach to the sport. When the opportunity arose to sign a contract, I didn’t need much time to think it over.”
If Valgren can gain a few more percentage points, he’ll become a dangerous contender. He already has a clear idea of which races he wants to excel in.
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Valgren looks forward to good years at INEOS
“I’d love to ride the Giro d’Italia. Although a stage win in the Tour de France would be amazing, I’ve tried nine times now and haven’t succeeded. In the Giro, the chances of a breakaway succeeding are just a little bit higher.”
"The Tour is so big and so tough—I might not be quite good enough to go for my own chance," said Valgren, who rediscovered himself in 2026.
“If I hadn’t won and hadn’t ridden so strongly, I might have become a luxury domestique. But I’m not there yet—let’s see if the years at INEOS turn out to be just as good.”
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026
