It was a nice present for the Ineos Grenadiers: just in time for Christmas Eve, the British racing team was able to announce the signing of Oscar Onley. The 23-year-old Scot was one of last season's discoveries and surprised everyone by finishing fourth in the Tour de France. During the three weeks last July, Onley, then wearing the jersey of the Dutch team Picnic-PostNL, was Florian Lipowitz's toughest rival for a place on the podium. It was only on the final stage that the 25-year-old German from the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team was able to decisively distance himself from his three years younger rival.
"Oscar complements our squad perfectly. We're on the right track," said the new Head of Racing at Ineos Grenadiers, Geraint Thomas, on the new signing. Thomas, winner of the 2018 Tour de France, ended his racing career last September and then took on the job of Head of Racing. The signing was preceded by negotiations with Picnic-PostNL. The racing team, where Onley took his first steps in his professional career, released the rider for the switch despite his current contract. The terms of the deal are not publicly known.
Ineos Grenadiers - back to old strength?
For the Ineos Grenadiers, the young man from Kelso in Scotland could be an important building block when it comes to leading the once outstanding racing team into a better future. From 2012 to 2019, the British team dominated the Tour de France and, with one exception (Vincenzo Nibali won in 2014), always celebrated overall victory. Bradley Wiggins (2012) started the winning streak, followed by compatriots Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017) and Geraint Thomas (2018). The last success was achieved by Colombian Egan Bernal in 2019, when serious training accidents for Froome and Bernal put the brakes on their careers. Bernal achieved the team's last major tour victory at the 2021 Giro d'Italia. The Colombian, who celebrates his 29th birthday in January, was unable to regain his former strength after his life-threatening accident in 2022. The soon-to-be 25-year-old Spaniard Carlos Rodriguez promised great things with fifth place in the Tour in 2025, but has stagnated of late. At the last Tour de France, Dutchman Thymen Arensman impressed with two stage wins in the high mountains, but was unable to keep up with the best over three weeks. Onley could be the new leader in the big stage races.
"I've grown up watching Geraint and the whole team dominate cycling and make an impact in the UK. I'm really proud to be joining the Grenadiers on a long-term contract," said the newcomer according to the team's press release, adding: "That means I'll be riding for a British team when the Tour de France starts in Scotland in 2027."
Much praise from Geraint Thomas
There was plenty of praise from the new race director Thomas, who himself had competed against Onley in the last Tour. "Oscar's performances in 2025 were truly incredible. I myself rode my first Tour when I was 21. So it's impressive what he's achieved at just 22. The way he rides and understands the race shows an unusual maturity for his age," emphasised the 39-year-old former pro with regard to his talented British compatriot. Thomas represents a fresh start for his long-standing employer and emphasises this himself: "Our whole team has worked hard over the winter to reposition ourselves and set ourselves new goals. Oscar is a good fit for this project," emphasises Thomas in view of the new start with his long-standing team.
The team had previously signed French Tour winner Kevin Vauquelin (24) from the disbanded Arkéa-B&B Hotels team. The 2026 squad also includes German Kim Heiduk and the strong time trial specialists Filippo Ganna and Joshua Tarling.
Andreas Kublik
Editor
