Rod Ellingworth to rejoin Ineos Grenadiers after Bahrain-McLaren departure
Ellingworth will be joined at the team's headquarters by another former coach in Dan Hunt
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/N9EiKwbtnTe6UQ7cztGawS-415-80.jpg)
Coach Rod Ellingworth is to rejoin Ineos Grenadiers, just over a year after leaving the British WorldTour outfit.
Last autumn, one of the most revered coaches of the 21st century left Ineos after 10 years, to steer Bahrain-McLaren's own ambitious project as team principal.
But after completing just a single season with Bahrain, Ellingworth will be returning to the British super-team, who he had originally been with since its inception in 2010.
Cyclingnews first reported that Ellingworth will join as director of racing, tasked with being in charge of the team's racing programme, talent identification, development and recruitment.
His new job title echoes similar comments made from Bahrain-McLaren at the weekend when they confirmed Ellingworth's departure, saying that the Brit wanted the opportunity to focus on rider development once again.
Ellingworth will be joined at the Ineos headquarters by another familiar face, with Dan Hunt returning as director of performance. Hunt was previously a sports director when the outfit were known as Team Sky, but left in 2013 to join the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan. He was credited as a leading figure in British Cycling's successes at the Beijing and London Olympic Games.
>>> Who is Dan Hunt? Cycling Weekly caught up with him in 2013
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Sir Dave Brailsford, head of Ineos Grenadiers, welcomed the return of his long-time allies and colleagues "I'm very excited about Dan and Rod coming on board to enhance the leadership of the team and build on where we left off last season as a team focused on racing to win with style and flair."
Despite winning the Giro d'Italia with Tao Geoghegan Hart and winning seven stages in the process, Ineos missed out on their main aim of the condensed 2020 season: securing another Tour de France title.
It is hoped that having Ellingworth and Hunt back in the team, coupled with the signings of Adam Yates, Dani Martinez and the hoped-for improved upturn in fortunes of Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas, the team can reestablish themselves as the stand-out team in professional cycling, a title they have arguably ceded to a dominant Jumbo-Visma.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
MADE, world’s largest handmade bike show, returns to Portland this August; tickets on sale now
MADE, the world’s largest celebration of the art and craftsmanship of bicycle building, will return for its second edition in Portland, Oregon, this August.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
We tried the Santini Unisex jersey and it made me challenge my preconceived prejudices
As a concept, unisex clothing sounds like a compromise that inhibits personal choice. Santini's take, with its clever design, high-tech fabrics and appealing hues, is anything but
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published