Team Ineos announce squad for Tour de France 2020, with no Chris Froome or Geraint Thomas
A surprising line-up from the British WorldTour squad for this year's edition
Team Ineos have announced their squad for the 2020 Tour de France, as both Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas have been left out of the line-up.
The British WorldTour team will be backing Egan Bernal for victory in this year's delayed Tour, which starts in Nice on August 9.
Colombian star Bernal will be joined in the mountains by reigning Giro d'Italia champion Richard Carapaz and rising talent Pavel Sivakov, while Froome and Thomas will not feature in this year's Tour.
Team Ineos will be undergoing a name change from the 2020 Tour de France, as they will race under the title Ineos Grenadiers to promote a new 4x4 made by their title sponsor.
Froome had been fighting for a place in the Tour de France squad after his horrific crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné last year, but there were questions around his fitness after he seemed to struggle through the first stage races of the restarted season in France.
Thomas, winner of the Tour in 2018, has also been left out of the line-up after a quiet 2020 Dauphiné.
Instead, Thomas will be given leadership at the Giro d'Italia in October as he strives to become the first Welshman to ever win the race.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Froome, who is leaving Team Ineos for Israel Start-Up Nation at the end of the season, will lead a squad at the Vuelta a España later this year, as the team say he needs more time to return to full fitness.
Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “I am very proud that we have several current, and I am sure future, Grand Tour champions in the team. Selecting the right leader in the right race with the right support team is critical and has meant we have had to analyse all the latest information to make sure we are in the best position possible to optimise our performances in the coming months."
>>> Tour de France 2020 route: Eight mountain finishes and uphill time trial to decide 107th edition
He added: “Egan will once again target the yellow jersey in France and we are very excited to give last year’s Giro winner, Richard Carapaz, his debut in this year’s Tour also. Geraint will target the Giro and take on the opportunity to double up his Tour de France win with another Grand Tour title, with the aim of being the first Welshman to win it.
“In turn, Chris Froome will target the Vuelta. Chris is a legend of our sport, a true champion who has demonstrated incredible grit and determination to come back from his crash last year. We want to support him to compete for another Grand Tour title and the Vuelta gives him that little bit more time to continue his progress to the top level.”
Team Ineos squad for the Tour de France 2020
Egan Bernal (Col)
Richard Carapaz (Ecu)
Pavel Sivakov (Rus)
Andrey Amador (CRC)
Michał Kwiatkowski (Pol)
Jonathan Castroviejo (Esp)
Luke Rowe (GBr)
Dylan van Baarle (Ned)
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
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.
-
I can’t even remember the price of my latest bike — the trauma is too deep
Dream bikes are best left locked up in fantasy land, argues CW's columnist
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Buying a saddle online without a fit is a risky move — here's how to find the best perch for you
Getting your saddle right makes all the difference, we spoke to an expert to help guide you in the process
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'deselected' from Ineos Grenadiers squad for Il Lombardia
British rider says 'I guess off season starts early' in Instagram post
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers have had their worst season ever, and the woes appear not to be over. What’s next for the super-team of a bygone era?
With Tom Pidcock possibly off to Q36.5 and Luke Rowe leaving, the news is not quiet around the British WorldTour squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Dan Bigham becomes Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
After winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Bigham then left his role at Ineos due to his frustrations with the setup currently in place at the team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-