'Ineos Grenadiers just want to have fun racing' says Knees 🇬🇧

'It doesn’t matter how long he’s off the bike, but I’m sure that if someone can come back, then it’s Egan' says DS

Ineos Grenadiers are at the Volta ao Algarve, and they mean business. Photo courtesy of me.

Since the start of the season, there have been flickers of hope that Ineos Grenadiers might be practising what they preach and adapting their racing style. It’s early days, but perhaps they’ve turned a corner?

The early signs were present at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille La Marseillaise, when the team put several riders in the final break, and then again at the Etoile de Bessèges—Tour du Gard. However, the team rightfully pulled out of that race due to ongoing safety concerns after the organisers felt it was perfectly acceptable to turn a bike race into something akin to the Hunger Games.

At the Clásica Jaén, the British team’s intent on racing aggressively and moving away from their previous culture was evident as the squad dominated the lead group in terms of numbers, leading to Michał Kwiatkowski securing his first victory since winning a stage at the Tour in 2023.

Now at the Volta ao Algarve and under the stewardship of DS and former Ineos rider Christian Knees, the team has ample cards to play over the five-day stage race. Despite missing a red-hot favourite for the GC, the team could still play a pivotal role in proceedings.