Tom Pidcock was the first Ineos Grenadier team・mates and team managers since being "deselected" from Il Lombardy as the British team gathered in Manchester to plan and prepare for the 2025 season.

When the new signings and new staff met for the first time, Ineos Grenadiers riders and staff gathered for a 1-week gathering. On Sunday, some riders took part as guests at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play against rival Chelsea. Earlier this year, Jim Ratcliffe, founder, chairman and chief executive of Ineos, bought a 27% stake in the Premier League club to take control of the football business.

This week riders are expected to undergo medical examinations, fitting sessions for bikes and clothing, meet about 2025 race plans, and definitely dissect and confirm their poor 2024 season. New riders and staff will be welcomed by the team as work begins in earnest for 2025.   

Pidcock appears to be back in the fold at Ineos Grenadiers, three weeks after being "deselected" for Il Lombardia by senior team management. 

At the time, British riders appeared to be set to leave the Ineos Grenadier for Q36.5 after the collapse of their relationship. But a week after Il Lombardia, the possibility of a release agreement did not materialize, and a reliable source told Cyclingnews that Pidcock would stay at Ineos in 2025. 

Pidcock had previously suggested that the talk of the contract had "exhausted" him mentally, but he has never talked about his future or problems at Ineos. Because Il Lombardia Pidock spent some time in Italy and then enjoyed the holiday before returning to his home in Andorra. 

The management of Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers will have to work hard to rebuild their relationship and make plans for 2025. The team will have to work to respond to Pidcock's ambitions for the Spring classic and Tour de France, where Carlos Rodriguez is likely to be a protected team leader. 

Luke Rowe, Ethan Hayter and Jhonatan Narváez have all left the team and Ineos are trying to fight the gradual decline in results and relevance as big budget super teams with Axel Laurance, Lucas Hamilton, Bob Jungels, Samuel Watson, Victor Langellotti and Peter Øxenberg joining in 2025. 

The Ineos Grenadier is also shaking up staff, especially performance management in 2025. Dan Bigham left behind many other changes, but some have not yet been confirmed.

Performance Director Scott Drawer has created a stream that focuses on grand tours and stage races, classics and one-day races, and future talent. Kurt Asle Arvesen has returned as the lead sports director, but the role and future of Steve Cummings in the team is still unknown.     

Other new staff members include directeur sportif Leonardo Basso, new lead performance coach Tom Helleman, and Dr. Performance Billy Fitton, who worked on the track with the British and Dutch sprint teams, who joined from British Cycling as Head of engineering and technology. It's a great place to start.

"We're going to spend the rest of the year making even more positive changes: setting performance plans and goals for the team, running some important training camps and getting the whole team ready to race hard in May," Drawer said. 

"We want to set the right tone from the start and will work closely with riders to promote success and establish the underlying culture for the future."