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The Ineos Grenadiers team is gearing up for the 2024 Tour de France with high hopes, aiming to reclaim their former dominance in the race. The squad has already secured 18 victories this season, including four national championships, and is looking to carry that momentum into the Tour. On Wednesday, the team confirmed Carlos Rodríguez as their designated leader, with 2018 champion Geraint Thomas pledging to support him in his final Tour de France appearance.
Rodríguez, who finished fifth overall in the 2023 Tour, is focused on improving his performance this year. While he faces stiff competition from top riders like Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Primož Roglič, Rodríguez remains optimistic about his chances. “The goal was always to line up at the Tour in July in my best form,” he said, emphasizing his preparation and determination to compete against the world’s best.
Team performance director Scott Drawer emphasized the importance of a collective effort, stating that the team has been selected based on their ability to compete over three weeks against the toughest competitors in the sport. He highlighted Rodríguez’s consistent climbing and resilience, while also noting Thomas’s critical role as a former winner and experienced rider who will provide invaluable support.
Thomas, who has been with the team since 2010, is approaching his 14th and final Tour de France. Despite the ups and downs of his career, he remains passionate about the race and is committed to helping the team succeed. “I’m really looking forward to my final Tour de France,” he said, acknowledging the challenges ahead and his willingness to play his part in the team’s strategy.
In addition to Rodríguez and Thomas, the Ineos Grenadiers lineup includes powerful time trialists Filippo Ganna and Tobias Foss, all-rounder Thymen Arensman, young Frenchman Axel Laurance, and British riders Connor Swift and Sam Watson. Watson secured his spot by winning the national road race championship and will be sporting the British tricolor jersey during the Tour.
Drawer expressed confidence in the team’s selection, emphasizing their collective knowledge and experience. “Carlos will be our leader, given his consistent climbing performances and his unwavering drive and resilience,” he said, adding that Thomas’s experience and calm demeanor will be crucial for the team.
Thomas’s career with Ineos Grenadiers is a testament to his loyalty and dedication to the team. Despite receiving offers after his 2018 Tour win, he chose to stay with the squad, and his long tenure is a rare achievement in professional cycling. As he approaches the end of his career, Thomas reflects on his journey and the significance of the Tour de France, calling it the “biggest and best” race in the world.
The decline of British cycling’s dominance in the Tour de France is also a point of reflection. While Thomas, Bradley Wiggins, and Chris Froome secured six Tour wins in seven years, the current landscape suggests it may be some time before a British rider wins the race again. Thomas’s achievements, along with those of his peers, stand as a significant chapter in British cycling history.
As the countdown to the Tour continues, Thomas and the Ineos Grenadiers team are eager to get started, embracing the challenges and excitement of the race. “I just can’t wait to get to Lille and into the spirit of what’s always a rollercoaster of an event,” Thomas said, summing up the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding this year’s Tour de France.
