Ineos Grenadiers’ new chief executive John Allert has dismissed suggestions that Dave Brailsford is giving up cycling to devote himself full-time to a new role at Manchester United.
Allert explained that Brailsford was busy conducting an audit of Manchester United after Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake in the club, and his position allowed him to oversee a number of sports under the company’s umbrella.
“Dave is the founder of the team,” Allert said. “We’re honored that he’s still available to join the team. His role is that of INEOS sporting director, so he’s obviously responsible for a variety of different sports, not just cycling.
“Obviously Dave is passionate about cycling and has a great track record, so don’t be surprised to see Dave at the races. But he won’t be at the races to grade our homework. He will be there to support the team, Just like he does for all teams.”
Allert admitted that the long wait for further Tour de France victories, combined with the rise of rivals such as Jonas Vingegaard’s Visma-Lease A Bike team (formerly Jumbo-Visma), They won all three Tour de France titles in Europe in 2023, making Ineos “the hunter, not the prey”.
“It puts a different look on things,” Allert said of his team, who last won the Tour in 2019 through Egan Bernal. “We’ve obviously transitioned from one leadership to new leadership, we have an exciting group of drivers and we’re off to a great start to the season.”
Despite Ratcliffe’s growing investment in other aspects of the Ineos Sports portfolio, Allert dismissed rumors of a reduction in the team’s budget. “We have a fixed budget. This is not declining in any way,” he said.
Allert, whose reputation in the cycling world was built during his time as Ratcliffe Racing Team General Manager, will be supported by new Performance Director Scott Drawer (formerly of Team GB).
“It’s no coincidence that the man responsible for the performance of our sport is a scientist, an innovator, a proven disruptor. I don’t think that alone gives us the answer, but we will certainly leave no stone unturned. “
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Despite the loss of some top talent at the end of last season, including 2020 Giro d’Italia winner Tao Geoghegan Hart, Allert insists the 2024 Ineos Grenadiers squad contains ” Some very good Giro d’Italia riders”.
“I believe we have a lot of GC riders, experienced riders with two Tour de France winners, but also phenomenal ‘next generation’ riders. Our goal is to be as good as possible in the Tour and in any Grand Tour Close to the podium.
“Whether that’s this year or next year, that remains to be seen. The competition is fierce and tough, but we embrace that because it hopefully makes us better.”
