Fading glory or a return to form? INEOS bets on Jungels' experience and revival

Bob Jungels has signed a two-year contract with INEOS Grenadiers. The 31-year-old Luxemburger is moving from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe to the British powerhouse team, where his experience in the peloton is highly valued.

Jungels made his debut in the WorldTour in 2013 with the current Lidl-Trek team and spent several years from 2016 onwards riding for Patrick Lefevere's Quick Step squad, where he achieved his greatest successes. In his early years, he focused on general classifications in grand tours, notably securing sixth place and winning the young rider's jersey in the 2016 Giro d'Italia. However, his focus gradually shifted to one-day races while at The Wolfpack. In 2018, Jungels captured his most significant victory with a win in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, adding to his impressive tally of 25 wins.

In 2017, he also won a stage in the Giro d'Italia and claimed a stage in the Tour de France in 2022. He repeatedly won national titles in Luxembourg, both on the road and in time trials. However, after leaving Quick Step for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale in 2021, he somewhat lost his momentum. While he still managed a stage win in the Tour two years ago, his victories became scarce. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe brought him in 2023 primarily as a domestique, leveraging his vast experience.

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Jungels aims to elevate performance with INEOS Grenadiers

It's precisely that experience that INEOS Grenadiers is counting on. "Bob's palmarès is impressive, and the talent and experience he brings to the team are incredibly valuable," said performance manager Scott Drawer in a press release. "We have many young talents who look up to the experience we have in the team. Bob will play an important role as a mentor. In the recent Tour de France, we saw how strong he is, and we are confident he will excel in our environment."

At INEOS, they describe Jungels as "a popular guy" who made a strong impression during their numerous discussions. "His approach to the sport and his beliefs align perfectly with our future goals and what we want to achieve together." For Jungels, the decision was ultimately straightforward. "INEOS is a team I have always admired, so this transfer came at the perfect time. I believe I can perform better here while also sharing my experience. The team has a bright future ahead, and I'm excited to be a part of it."