Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
Ineos Grenadiers have confirmed that the team will have a development squad partner for 2025, opening up a new pathway to the WorldTour.
As of next year the British giants will partner with German UCI Continental team Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank in order to provide a “finishing school” for young riders. It is the first time Ineos has had an official development partner, something other big teams like Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE Team Emirates, Lidl-Trek and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe already have, with development Continental teams.
According to Ineos, the new partnership will come in addition to the team’s current internal "Ascent" development setup which has already been utilised in the development of the likes of Josh Tarling, Michael Leonard and young American pro AJ August.
The team said that the Ascent programme will be expanded next season with the partnership with Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank becoming an important part in developing and preparing young riders for competition at professional cycling’s top level.
“Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank provides an outstanding competitive environment which will give our youngest riders valuable racing experience,” Ineos performance director Dr Scott Drawer said of the new partnership. “Key riders will be selected and placed with the Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank team while still being coached and supported by Ineos Grenadiers staff.
“We see this as a ‘finishing school’ for young talent before their transition to the WorldTour, akin to that of a loan club in professional football. The management and staff at Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank have really impressed us and we trust that this is going to be a fruitful and key partnership for the future.”
Ineos Grenadiers have come off the back of their worst-ever season in the team’s history, with just 14 wins. Following that, they have gone through an overhaul during the current off-season in order to aim to turn the tide for 2025. This has included the departure of the team’s previous director of racing Steve Cummings, while several new additions to the team’s staffing infrastructure have also been introduced.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The team has brought on board a handful of new riders ahead of the new season which has included a blend of youth and experience. Bob Jungels and Lucas Hamilton will join the team from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Jayco-AIUla respectively. Young talent will also come on board in the form of Sam Watson from Groupama FDJ and Axel Laurance from Alpecin-Deceuninck.
A press release from Ineos did not make the length of the deal with Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank clear, only mentioning the 2025 season. It's also unclear which riders will be on the squad for next season.
The owner of the German team, Florian Monreal, said the new relationship with Ineos was a testament to the hard work and consistency which the team has displayed in producing young talent that has gone on to the WorldTour in recent years.
“Thanks to our network and various collaborations, we always have very good talent in the team and the racing calendar is at an absolutely top level,” he said. “Working with young, motivated riders in the most important U23 races is a lot of fun and it's always great to see these talents then move on to the WorldTour.”
Current Ineos pro Kim Heiduk was previously part of the German squad along with Max Walscheid (Jayco-AIUla) and Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost).
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.
-
Heavy discounting cited in cycling company's collapse
Distributor i-ride, which owns bike brand Orro, held a 'huge overstocking clearance' this year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Release your fitness potential with Zwift
Looking to get fit this winter? Look no further than Zwift’s immersive indoor training platform
By Hannah Reynolds Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers announce 'highly motivated, hungry and ambitious' new performance structure for 2025
New sports directors, lead performance coach and head of performance support announced, among other changes
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I can help get the team back to where it was' - 20-year-old Artem Shmidt looks to the future after Ineos Grenadiers' disappointing season
Shmidt hoping to help revitalise team backed by Jim Ratcliffe after season of woes and as star rider Tom Pidcock gets set to move on
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don’t think the people around Tom help' - Geraint Thomas on the Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers situation
Pidcock was "deselected" from Il Lombardia on Saturday, with the rider taking to Instagram to discuss decision
By Tom Thewlis Published