British climber Oscar Onley has officially signed with the INEOS Grenadiers, marking a significant transfer in the cycling offseason. The 23-year-old rider, renowned for his impressive performance that secured him a surprising fourth place in the 2025 Tour de France, has agreed to a long-term contract with the British team. Onley was previously with Picnic-PostNL, where his contract was set to expire in 2027. The Dutch team and INEOS have reached a compensation agreement for his transfer.
In a statement regarding Onley’s departure, Picnic-PostNL expressed their initial reluctance to release the talented rider. “Following his fantastic Tour de France, the team received multiple offers for Oscar’s release, all of which were initially declined,” they noted. However, the team acknowledged that a “very late but appealing offer” led to the decision to let him go.
Earlier this month, Onley revealed in an interview with Cyclingnews that “probably 15 teams” had shown interest in acquiring his services after the Tour. Explaining his choice to join INEOS, he stated, “I grew up watching Geraint Thomas, Dave Brailsford, and the team dominate the sport and put cycling on the map in the UK, so I am really proud to be joining the Grenadiers on a long-term deal, which will also mean racing for a British team when the Tour de France departs from Scotland in 2027.”
Geraint Thomas, who is now the director of racing for INEOS, praised Onley’s achievements. “Oscar’s performance in 2025 has been incredible really,” Thomas remarked. “I rode my first Tour when I was 21, so to see what he achieved at this year’s Tour at just 22 was really impressive. The way he rides and understands a race is mature beyond his years — he’s a proper racer. I can’t wait to work with him — at his age there’s still loads of headroom.”
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The addition of Onley signifies a bold statement from INEOS, particularly under its new management structure. Dave Brailsford has resumed a more prominent role within the organization, although the specifics of his responsibilities have not been disclosed. Following the injury of Egan Bernal in 2022, INEOS has actively sought a potential Grand Tour winner, considering high-profile riders including Remco Evenepoel, who recently signed with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
Thomas faces the challenge of unlocking Onley’s potential. While Onley’s performance in the Tour was notable, it remains to be seen if he can replicate such success consistently. His main area of improvement has been in time trialing, a crucial aspect for general classification (GC) contenders.
From a marketing perspective, Onley’s status as a prominent British rider aligns with INEOS’ objectives. With Thomas retiring this summer, the team needed a high-profile athlete, and having a Scotsman leading the charge in Edinburgh for the 2027 Grand Depart holds significant symbolic value.
Another notable signing for INEOS this winter was Frenchman Kevin Vauquelin, who joined from the dissolving Breton squad Arkea–B&B Hotels. Vauquelin also performed well in the Tour, finishing in the top 10 and demonstrating his potential as a GC contender. While he possesses greater strength than Onley, he does not match his climbing prowess.
Onley’s signing may signal uncertainty for Carlos Rodriguez, INEOS’ previous GC leader in the last three Tours. Rodriguez’s ascent has stalled since a promising debut, raising questions about his opportunities to lead the team in future Grand Tours.
With this strategic overhaul, INEOS is making a concerted effort to enhance their competitive edge. The team, which has faced criticism for not winning enough races relative to its budget, aims to address these shortcomings through its recent acquisitions. The future trajectory of INEOS will depend on the successful integration and development of talents like Onley and Vauquelin into a cohesive competitive unit.
