Ineos Grenadiers have introduced their fourth new signing for the 2025 season, with younger British rider Samuel Watson becoming a member of from Groupama-FDJ on a two-year deal.
22-year-old Watson joins Bob Jungels (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Victor Langellotti (Burgos-BH), and Peter Øxenberg (ColoQuick) in signing for the British WorldTour crew for subsequent 12 months and past. Meanwhile, 20-year-old US expertise Artem Shmidt has already joined the crew
Watson turned skilled with the French squad final season after shifting up from the Groupama-FDJ Continental crew.
Two years in the past, he received Gent-Wevelgem U23, completed fifth on the elite Tro-Bro Léon, and took second behind Mark Cavendish on the British National Championships, whereas this season he scored his first skilled victory with a late solo assault on the ultimate stage of the Tour de Wallonie in July.
“Joining this crew actually is a dream come true and I’m past excited to begin working collectively and see what we will obtain,” Watson mentioned upon signing for Ineos Grenadiers.
“As a younger British child watching different British riders on this crew, it was actually inspiring. To now be part of Ineos and journey alongside a few of these large names – and to be taught from them is actually particular.
“I really consider that is the proper setting to achieve my full potential and be taught from the superb function fashions throughout the crew. I am unable to wait to get caught in.”
Ineos Grenadiers efficiency director Scott Drawer mentioned that he sees Watson focussing on the Spring Classics and one-week races as soon as he joins the crew.
“It’s nice that one other proficient younger British rider is becoming a member of our crew. Sam’s nonetheless younger however he has already demonstrated his expertise on the highest degree,” Drawer mentioned. “We know that we’ll be capable of provide him the very best platform to take the vital subsequent steps in his profession, and collectively we’re excited to unlock his future potential.
“Sam’s profile and the vary of capabilities will doubtless see him take a spot in our Classics squad and have in one-week races, the place he has the ability to struggle for wins in laborious phases.
“In working intently with our world-class efficiency employees we’ll be capable of provide him the alternatives to problem for leads to the proper occasions, whereas on the identical time creating all the different abilities it takes to be a sustained success at this degree.”
Drawer praised the crew’s core of promising younger riders, which incorporates Josh Tarling, Andrew August, and Magnus Sheffield. He mentioned that the senior riders within the squad might be enlisted on mentorship duties to information the youthful group.
“Our squad for 2025 is actually taking form, with a stability being struck between a few of the most fun younger skills within the professional peloton being guided and mentored by the likes of Geraint Thomas, Ben Swift, Salvatore Puccio, Jonathan Castroviejo, together with fellow new signing, Bob Jungels.”