‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Team Ineos left Chris Froome out of the Tour de France,’ says Matt White
The Mitchelton-Scott sports director shares his thoughts on the leadership question in the rival team

Mitchelton-Scott sports director Matt White says he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if Team Ineos left Chris Froome at home during the 2020 Tour de France.
Froome, four-time Tour winner, is chasing a record-equalling fifth yellow jersey with the British WorldTour squad this year, but his status within the team has now come into question.
Earlier this month, news emerged that Froome would be leaving Team Ineos after more than a decade and will be heading to Israel Start-Up Nation next season.
Team Ineos currently has three Tour de France winners in its roster – Froome, Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal – while Froome is also returning from a severe leg break suffered last season, raising questions about whether he will be given the chance to ride a final Tour with the team.
Former pro White told SBS in Australia: “At Ineos all they care about is winning the Tour de France. They’re quite good at removing emotion from decisions and I think it will depend how Chris Froome comes back into racing."
White added: ”I wouldn’t be surprised if they left him out, having three leaders does complicate things. It’s going to be a tricky one to manage, because you’ve got the last winners of the Tour de France all in the same team.”
While Froome’s inclusion in the Tour squad is unquestioned for many fans, the reality is more complicated as Team Ineos try to balance the ambitions of their three leaders.
Froome, Bernal and Thomas have all expressed their desire to carry the yellow jersey into Paris, but Froome’s position in the team is uncertain due to his return from injury and because he is leaving at the end of 2020.
After news of Froome’s transfer emerged, Cycling Weekly asked David Millar and Sean Yates to get their views.
Millar believes that loyalty will not be the deciding factor for Team Ineos management, but instead it will be Froome’s fitness that secures him a spot in the team.
>>> Nairo Quintana will restart season at Mont Ventoux one–day race
Team Ineos sports director Servais Knaven said that his position in the squad will not change because of the transfer, saying “if Chris is the best, he wins.”
Thank you for reading 10 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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
'Possibly La Vuelta' - what's next for Geraint Thomas?
Another Tour de France bid looks unlikely for the Ineos Grenadiers leader, despite impressive Giro d'Italia
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Mark Cavendish praises 'eternal optimist and special person' Geraint Thomas after stage-winning Giro d'Italia lead-out
Manxman also reveals he jokingly asked Thomas for a lead-out during the race
By James Shrubsall • Published
-
From drawing to Giro d'Italia in 2 months: How SunGod reinvented Geraint Thomas' iconic sunglasses
The glasses, GTs, have been seen on the Welshman's face throughout his impressive Giro d'Italia run
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
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart abandons Giro d'Italia after fracturing hip on stage 11
Ineos Grenadiers rider was sitting in third before falling heavily with 69km to go on Wednesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Blow to Ineos's Giro d'Italia as Filippo Ganna forced out with Covid-19
Time-triallist and super-domestique Filippo Ganna has had to leave his home Grand Tour due to a Covid-19 positive
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Complete Giro d'Italia 2023 start list: Who is still in the Grand Tour three days in?
There has not been one abandonment so far in this year's Giro, here's the complete start list
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Back to Africa: Chris Froome on going back to his roots, his future and cycling's new generation
He’s come full circle, but is there time for another loop? We talk to the four-time Tour champ about his and African cycling’s future
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for Giro d'Italia after sealing Tour of the Alps victory in Italy
British rider says he will savour his second-ever overall win, before turning his attention towards the fast approaching Italian Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Just stay calm and relaxed’: Tao Geoghegan Hart one day from second-ever overall victory
Barring major disaster, the Ineos Grenadiers rider will wrap up overall victory at the Tour of the Alps in Brunico on Friday
By Tom Thewlis • Published