🚨Tom Pidcock is leaving Ineos Grenadiers
The rider and team part ways via mutual consent
Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers have parted ways by mutual consent. After we broke the news on Wednesday the team confirmed the story a few hours later.
”We’re really proud of the work we’ve done with Tom to help him achieve some extraordinary and memorable moments. Together we’ve written a powerful chapter and shown how exciting and diverse professional cycling can be,” team CEO John Allert said in a statement.
“Tom has some big multi-disciplinary goals and we believe this decision enables both of us to pursue our future ambitions with clarity, purpose and determination. We thank Tom for the last four years and wish him the best of luck for the future,” he added.
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This move puts Pidcock on the transfer market with immediate effect, although a likely move will involve him signing for Q36.5 Pro Cycling in the next few days. A second announcement on his future is expected in the coming days.
Pidcock had a contract with Ineos Grenadiers until the end of 2027 but the relationship between him and the team has broken down in the last 12 months with several incidents taking place. The last of which saw the team leave their star rider at home for Il Lombardia, even though Pidcock was their best chance of a result.
That fuelled a huge transfer saga with Q36.5 Pro Cycling linked to the rider.
The double Olympic champion did appear at the Ineos Grenadiers get-together last month in Manchester but we reported on Tuesday that he was not attending the team’s camp in Denia, Spain.
Riders and staff were made aware of Pidcock’s departure following a training ride on Wednesday. After that the team’s partners were informed, followed by the mainstream media.
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Pidcock joined Ineos Grenadiers at the start of 2021 and quickly became one of their leading riders. He signed a bumper contract extension during the 2022 season and won Amstel Gold, Strade Bianche and a stage in the Tour de France during his time at the team. He also won world titles in other disciplines and became an Olympic champion in mountain biking in 2021 and 2024.
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I'm a little surprised Red Bull/Specialized haven't made a play for Pidcock; I'm certain Spez would love to have a multidiscipline athlete on its bikes. and Red Bull could use another star on its books to reduce the pressure for results for the Roglic/GC side of the team. But maybe Red Bull (like Ineos) aren't interested in multiple discipline riders distracted by MTB and cross...?
The three possible teams is interesting to consider. Money aside, they offer very different things. Q36.5 would probably give him leadership and freedom to do what races he wants, but not as good of team support in races, and although their current staffing & expertise might be lower he could bring his own entourage. Astana would want him chasing points on the road so maybe not as much flexibility in schedule but they've signed a lot of decent cyclists in the team which could support a one-day race leader like Pidcock quite well. It would be great experience if he wants to get more one-day wins or a monument. Redbull would allow him more freedom to do non-road events, but he would compete with others on the team for leadership at road events. Redbull's tech and staff are high level. It will be interesting to see what he picks.