The INEOS Grenadiers are pleased to confirm their line-up for the final Grand Tour of the 2022 season, the Vuelta a España.
The team is going all out to win the race, with a balance of Grand Tour-proven talent and youthful exuberance to make its presence felt throughout.
Line-up: Richard Carapaz, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Ethan Hayter, Luke Plapp, Carlos Rodríguez, Pavel Sivakov, Ben Turner, Dylan van Baarle.
Hayter, Plapp, Rodríguez and Turner will all make their Grand Tour debuts in Spain, marking a key moment in their impressive development.
2020 Giro d’Italia winner Geoghegan Hart, recent Vuelta a Burgos champion Sivakov and Paris Roubaix victor van Baarle complete the line-up, alongside Carapaz.
Rod Ellingworth, Deputy Team Principal said: “Our team for the Vuelta is a really exciting one; a great mix of experience and youth, which we believe will produce some outstanding racing.
“To have four Grand Tour debutants in Carlos, Luke, Ethan and Ben reinforces the belief we have in the quality of our young riders and we know that they’ll provide fantastic support for Richie in his last Grand Tour with us. All four have impressed in 2022 and this will be the next big step in their development at the very highest level.
“As a previous winner, and having placed second in 2020, we’re looking forward to Richie drawing on that experience and leading the team as the race heads for Madrid, in what undoubtedly will be a very exciting edition of the Vuelta.
“Dylan, Pavel and Tao provide invaluable experience to complete a group we believe can deliver some incredible moments in the final Grand Tour of a brilliant season.
“I know that the riders and the staff will be going all out to finish this part of our campaign on a high, and we look forward to a successful race together.”
Richard Carapaz – 29, Ecuador
Carapaz is taking to the line for his second Grand Tour of the year, after placing second at the Giro d’Italia back in May. The Ecuadorian will start the race as team leader, supported by a mix of experienced as well as developing talent. Having placed second on GC at the 2020 edition of this race, the Olympic gold medallist is looking to go one better in Spain.
Tao Geoghegan Hart – 27, Great Britain
The 2020 Giro d’Italia winner comes into the Vuelta after being a key member of the winning team at the Vuelta a Burgos. This will be Geoghegan Hart’s third Vuelta a España, a race he loves. The mountain stages so synonymous with this race are where Geoghegan Hart excels and he will grab chances of his own as well as helping his team leader.
Ethan Hayter – 23, Great Britain
Fresh from his breakthrough WorldTour stage race win at the Tour de Pologne, Hayter will be fighting it out in the sprints. As one of the team’s Grand Tour debutants, the Vuelta will provide invaluable experience to Hayter as his development continues at the top level. The current GB national time trial champion will also have the chance to demonstrate his strength in the individual time trial, as well as the team time trial on the opening stage.
Luke Plapp – 21, Australia
Plapp stormed into his first year in the WorldTour, becoming Australian national road champion in January, then racking up three top five Young Rider jerseys as well as third on GC at the Tour of Norway. The Vuelta a España will be Plapp’s first Grand Tour, a great opportunity for the WorldTour debutant to learn and seize his chances during the race.
Carlos Rodríguez – 21, Spain
Four top five GCs at stage races this year, as well as the Spanish national road race title leaves no doubt about the bright future ahead for Rodríguez. Lining up for his first Grand Tour in his home country promises to be a very special moment for the talented 21 year old.
Pavel Sivakov – 25, France
It was great to see Frenchman Sivakov back onto the podium in recent weeks, taking the overall at Vuelta a Burgos and second at Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa. This will be Sivakov’s fourth Grand Tour and third hit out at the Vuelta a España, where he looks forward to sharing his experience and seizing his chances along the way.
Ben Turner – 23, Great Britain
Recently placing 7th at the Commonwealth Games road race and 4th at the British national road race back in June, Turner has shown impressively consistent form across the year, most notably during his first full Classics season at WorldTour level, which included a hard fought 11th place at Paris-Roubaix. Another of the team’s GT debutants, Turner is relishing his ride at the Vuelta a España, and will be all in for the team.
Dylan van Baarle – 30, Netherlands
This has been van Baarle’s most successful year on the WorldTour, winning in style at Paris-Roubaix and finishing 2nd at the iconic Tour of Flanders. Van Baarle has been a much valued Grand Tour domestique for the Grenadiers for a number of years, and is lining up for his second GT of 2022, his fourth Vuelta a España and twelfth career Grand Tour.