Former 'Team Sky fanboy' Foss signs contract with "dream team" INEOS: "Tour and medal at Olympics"

Tobias Foss has signed a contract with INEOS Grenadiers. The 26-year-old Norwegian is transferring from Jumbo-Visma, where he emerged as a gifted general classification rider and, above all, a time trial expert. Foss has signed a contract with INEOS until the end of 2026.

The transfer of Foss to INEOS Grenadiers was already being discussed in the corridors in September. It was no longer a secret that the strong climber, whose contract with Jumbo-Visma was expiring, was ready to move on. Prior to the start of the 2023 season, he had already told IDLProCycling.com that he did not aspire to a domestique role, a role that he was being assigned more and more often at the successful Dutch team. Interest in Foss was high in the following months, but it took a long time before a deal was reached.

Foss was always a fan of Team Sky

INEOS has now made its move. Foss himself - who unexpectedly became the world time trial champion in 2022, marking his big breakthrough - is very happy with his transfer, as he shared via X. "When I was fourteen and started cycling, Edvald Boasson Hagen was my idol and Team Sky my favorite team. Later, Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas inspired me in my dream to ride the Tour de France. INEOS was my dream team, so that was a major factor in signing this contract."

Another, not unimportant point, is the plan that the British millionaire team has in store for Foss. "This team can help me develop in my career. I look forward to meeting everyone and creating memories on the bike. I would like to have a consistent season, without specific goals. I want to seize all opportunities and help the team achieve good results, including a medal at the Olympic Games."

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INEOS sees Foss as general classification rider

The fact that Foss will now be racing alongside Egan Bernal and Thomas pleases him. "The future of INEOS Grenadiers looks bright. I can't believe this is happening, because I've always been the biggest fanboy of this team and now I'm going to race with them," says the Norwegian, who is supported in the press release by team boss John Allert. "Tobias is an interesting talent and we believe that he can reach his full potential with us. He has clear ambitions, including the Paris Olympics. We look forward to supporting him in those."

According to Steve Cummings, INEOS wants to focus not only on Foss' time trial abilities. At Jumbo-Visma, he already finished top ten in the Giro d'Italia (2021) and showed his strength in week-long stage races. In 2023, he was doing excellently in the Tour of the Algarve, but missed the Giro d'Italia due to a COVID-19 infection. "He has already shown that he is also a great climber. He has achieved good results and we believe in him for our classification team."