Tour de France - Ineos Grenadiers announce their Tour squad as Brailsford says ‘expect the unexpected’

Updated 18/06/2021 at 14:46 GMT

The Ineos Grenadiers team have confirmed their Tour de France 2021 squad, featuring some of the biggest names in cycling. Former winner Egan Bernal is not included, but Richard Carapaz, Jonathan Castroviejo, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Michal Kwiatkowski, Richie Porte, Luke Rowe, Geraint Thomas, Dylan van Baarle are. And team principal Dave Brailsford warns to ‘expect the unexpected’.

Richard Carapaz of Ecuador and Team INEOS Grenadiers celebrates at arrival during the 84th Tour de Suisse 2021, Stage 5

Image credit: Getty Images

Ineos Grenadiers have included Richard Carapaz, Richie Porte, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Geraint Thomas in their eight man Tour de France team.

Also present in the squad are Jonathan Castroviejo, Michal Kwiatkowski, Luke Rowe and Dylan van Baarle.

Team principal Dave Brailsford promised an aggressive strategy and surprises along the way.

Tour de France

Woman who caused Tour de France crash fined 1200 euros

09/12/2021 at 16:27

“We won’t win this tour by sitting in the wheels. We have the team to make it a racers’ race, take the initiative, seize every opportunity and make our opposition focus for every kilometre of every stage,” he said in a team statement.

“We have changed our race philosophy this season to being more open and aggressive. Our performances have built all season and a joy of racing has infused the whole team. This more adventurous approach has led us to fearless racing and this is exactly how we will hit the Tour. We will seek out every moment in every stage where the race is on and try to exploit it. Key for us this Tour is our collective strength and camaraderie to the end.

“Expect the unexpected.”

The Tour de France Grand Depart starts on June 26.

Ineos Grenadiers squad