Ian Stannard returns to Ineos Grenadiers as a sports director in 2023
The Englishman spent 10 years as a rider with the British team before retirement
Ian Stannard is returning to Ineos Grenadiers, the team where he spent the final 10 years of his career as a rider, as a sports director in 2023.
Stannard, along with Dajo Sanders, has been appointed by Ineos in a bid to bolster the team’s elite coaching group for the coming season.
There has been an overhaul in the coaching setup at the British squad in the past couple of months, with longterm coaches Servais Knaven, Gabriel Rasch and Brett Lancaster all leaving the team.
2022 was the first year that Ineos did not win a Grand Tour since 2014; despite a triumph at Paris-Roubaix and podiums at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, management felt a change was needed.
After his retirement from racing in 2020, Stannard joined Trinity Racing as a DS, cutting his teeth in management with some of the star riders who now make up the roster at Ineos.
On his return to his former team, Stannard said: “It's very exciting to be coming back to Ineos Grenadiers. I had two great years and a steep learning curve at Trinity Racing which I think puts me in a good place to be stepping into a DS role. I’m looking forward to taking on new challenges with the Team, which has some of the young riders I worked with at Trinity.
“It’s been great to see the way the team is building for the future and that is something I’m looking forward to being part of. It will be fun to be back working with some of my old teammates as well.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
In his lengthy career, the British rider nicknamed “Yogi”, became renowned as being a tough and gritty rider who excelled in the spring classics. Stannard took two successive wins at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2014 and 2015.
The team's deputy principal, Rod Ellingworth, said that Stannard was the physical embodiment of Ineos’ racing philosophy.
“It felt like it would only be a matter of time before Ian came back to work with us again. He has a wealth of knowledge to pass on, especially when I think about our Spring Classics and Grand Tour teams," Ellingworth said.
"I’m looking forward to working with him and sharing time on the road with him again. If there’s anyone who embodies our ‘all in’ racing spirit, it’s Ian."
As well as Stannard, Ineos have recruited Sanders, a highly experienced coach who has competed at national and international level.
Until recently, Sanders was a coach at WorldTour level with Team DSM.
On the addition of Sanders, Ellingworth added: “Dajo will be an invaluable addition to our coaching team. He is highly experienced and comes with a unique mix of academic knowledge, personal racing experience and practical coaching insights.
"While coaching at UCI World Tour level for the last four years, he has twice successfully coached a rider to the podium of a Grand Tour as well as multiple Grand Tour stage victories.”
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
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta Published
-
Ian Stannard joins Trinity Racing as sports director
Stannard retired from professional racing with Ineos Grenadiers last year due to complications with his rheumatoid arthritis
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Ian Stannard: A career in pictures
British rider, Ian Stannard, has been forced to retire after developing rheumatoid arthritis after 14 years in the sport and seven wins along the way
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
‘Going to miss you mate, but what a career’: Cycling world reacts as Ian Stannard forced to retire
The cycling world has reacted to the shock news that Ian Stannard has been forced to retire due to health problems.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Ian Stannard takes solo win on Tour of Britain 2018 stage seven
Alaphilippe finishes in bunch to retain GC lead
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Watch: Ian Stannard and Arnaud Démare among riders disqualified for riding under closing level crossing in Scheldeprijs
Large group of riders are eliminated from Wednesday's Scheldeprijs after traversing a level crossing as it was closing
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Team Sky announce line-up for E3 Harelbeke
British WorldTour team reveals its roster for Friday's cobbled classic in Belgium
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Ian Stannard commits future to Team Sky with new three-year deal
Classics specialists re-signs until 2020
By Henry Robertshaw Published
-
Why isn't Ian Stannard in the Team Sky Tour de France squad?
Ian Stannard was omitted from Sky's Tour line-up for the first time since 2014
By Gregor Brown Published