Sam Welsford, the Australian sprinter, has signed a two-year deal with the INEOS Grenadiers from 2026.
One of the fastest finishers in the WorldTour, including six stage wins at the Tour Down Under, Welsford arrives having established himself as a consistent threat in bunch sprints, and a powerful presence across the classics.
Welsford will work closely with recently retired sprinter and multiple track world champion Elia Viviani, now a Sport Director, alongside the team’s wider performance group.
Welsford’s explosive speed, track pedigree and tactical nous make him a formidable addition to the Grenadiers’ ambitions for race wins in 2026.
Sam Welsford said: “I’m really excited to become a Grenadier. I’ve always admired the team’s professionalism and the way they commit fully to a goal.
“I feel like this is the exact right environment for me to keep progressing as a sprinter and to chase big results. I’m very hungry to contribute, to learn and to race with the kind of intent that this team is renowned for.”
Geraint Thomas, Director of Racing, said: “We haven’t had many sprinters in the team in the past but when we have, they’ve been pretty successful, so hopefully Sam can continue that history.
“Having been given an early insight into what he’s capable of physically, we believe there’s still plenty to unlock with Sam. The team has shown how dialled we are in positioning our fast guys for the finish, and we’ll do the same to give him opportunities to win.
“He’s got a great track pedigree - Olympic and multiple world champion in the team pursuit - so the way he’s used to working there will fit right into our team environment as well. I’m super excited to see him get stuck in.”