by New Ineos Grenadiers chief executive John Allert says the team is entering an “exciting new period” after a winter of change, adding that there is nothing to stop them from being on top even if “the hunter” them now. the hunt”.
Allert, an Australian who previously worked as McLaren F1’s chief marketing officer before switching to cycling, is leading a new set-up at Ineos Grenadiers, formerly Team Sky, with Rod Ellingworth stepping down at the end of last year and Sir Dave Brailsford. stepping down as team principal to focus on his wider role as Ineos sporting director.
In particular, Brailsford is focused on Ineos’ latest acquisition of Manchester United.
Allert, speaking to the media for the first time on Tuesday, said Brailsford remained the “father” of the team he founded in 2009, and would continue to be involved from an Ineos perspective. He added that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company was committed to the long term, with “no timeline put on that commitment”.
Allert was dismissive of suggestions by former US Post manager Johan Bruyneel that the Ineos Grenadiers budget had been cut by €10 million (£8.56 million) following a review of rider salaries.
“I think a lot has been said about our budget,” Allert said. “We have a budget that we believe will enable us to win major touring races, whether it’s the biggest budget in the sport or not.
“Our budget has certainly not been diluted, and our budget has not been reduced. I think our budget is everything we want it to be. There is no question about Ineos’ commitment to cycling. No time limit has been added to that promise.
“For me, this is a very exciting time because it’s the start of the season and as a team, it’s fair to say we’re the hunter, not the hunted and that makes things a little bit different,” Allert said. “Obviously we’ve moved from one leadership to a new leadership, and we’ve got an exciting group of riders and we’ve made a good start to the season. I feel a lot of hope within the team, and in the sport.”
Allert said his main focus since becoming CEO in the Autumn, stepping down as managing director, was to implement a more “simplified” structure, with “the right people playing in the right positions”.
Under Allert, looking after the performance side, will be performance director Dr Scott Drawer. The latest head of sport at Millfield School, Drawer is familiar with the UK Sport and Team GB system, having led research and innovation over five Olympic cycles.
Allert described Drawer as a “proven go-getter, and innovator”, adding that he would lead with a keen eye for research and innovation. Under Drawer will sit an R&D group that includes former Mercedes F1 aerodynamicist and hour record holder Dan Bigham.
In terms of talent, Ineos Grenadiers clearly tried and failed to sign some big hitters last year, including Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic. Allert would not confirm them as unmet goals, only to note that 2023 had become something of a “soap opera” and would not add to the hype. He said any future transfers would be signed “collectively” with Brailsford and Ineos Sport involved in the decision.
Effectively, however, Ineos Grenadiers start 2024 with the same squad as last year, minus those who have left such as Pavel Sivakov, Dani Martínez and Tao Geoghegan Hart.
Allert admitted that it would not be easy to beat riders of the class of Jonas Vingegaard or Tadej Pogacar in the short term. But he said he was confident Geraint Thomas, Carlos Rodríguez, Egan Bernal and Tom Pidcock could effectively lead the team in 2024, with “the next generation of riders” pushing to come through, riders such as the time trial champion of Europe Josh Tarling.
“I think everyone can see that there are some really good GC riders right now,” Allert said, referring to Pogacar and Vingegaard. “I believe we have some excellent riders as well. Both are proven GC riders – there are two Tour winners in the team [Bernal and Thomas]. We also have the next generation of riders.
“Our objectives are to be as close to the top of the podium in the Tour as any grand tour or any race for that matter. It remains to be seen whether this will be the case this year or next year. We know the competition is tough.
“I think sometimes people mistakenly think we had focus diffusion. But that [grand tours] The DNA of the team has always been there. That has continued from our previous owners into the ownership of Ineos and the ambition is the same.
“With that comes an identity that is definitely clear to those within the team. And that’s why we’re a GC team, first and foremost, and we want to be on the top step of the podium. That’s it.”
