Bernal to spearhead Ineos at the Vuelta with strong support
The Ineos Grenadiers have confirmed their eight-man line-up for the Vuelta a España, with double Grand Tour winner Egan Bernal set to lead the British squad.
Bernal will be backed by a strong core that includes former road race world champion Michal Kwiatkowski and former time trial world champion Filippo Ganna, who will target the pan-flat stage 18 time trial, where ‘Top Ganna’ will start as the clear favourite.
Another bright spark for Ineos in 2025 is the Monegasque rider Victor Langellotti, who earns his chance at the Vuelta after recently claiming the first WorldTour victory of his career with a stage win at the Tour de Pologne. American Magnus Sheffield also makes the squad, hoping to rediscover the early-season form that carried him to fourth overall at Paris–Nice.
Completing the team are Bob Jungels, a climber with a taste for the breakaway, Colombian Brandon Rivera, and Australian Lucas Hamilton.
Bernal said in the team’s press release on Thursday: “I’m relishing the challenge of leading the INEOS Grenadiers at this year’s Vuelta. It’s a race that always delivers aggressive, unpredictable racing, which is what I enjoy. My preparation has been good, and with the team we’re bringing - a mix of Grand Tour winners, strong support and guys hungry to show themselves - we can be confident. Starting in Italy also gives me extra motivation after so many special moments racing there.”
One of those special moments came in 2021, when the Colombian claimed the second Grand Tour victory of his career by winning the Giro d’Italia.
INEOS performance director Dr. Scott Drawer added: “La Vuelta always produces unpredictable, aggressive racing and this squad gives us a variety of options. Egan comes into the race as our leader, supported by a group that mixes climbing strength, time trial power and experience. It’s a team that can fight for opportunities and race in a style that’s been consistent with our approach at both the Giro and the Tour de France. We can’t wait to get racing.”
Ineos Grenadiers 2025 Vuelta a España squad
- Egan Bernal (Colombia)
- Brandon Rivera (Colombia)
- Magnus Sheffield (United States)
- Victor Langellotti (Monaco)
- Lucas Hamikton (Australia)
- Bob Jungels (Luxembourg)
- Filippo Ganna (Italy)
- Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland)
