Sam Welsford, an Australian sprinter, has signed a two-year contract with INEOS Grenadiers starting from 2026. Considered an excellent sprinter, with six stage wins at the Tour Down Under, Welsford will work closely with track world champion and sprinter Elia Viviani, who recently retired and is now a Sports Director, along with the team's broader development squad.

Welsford's explosive speed, track experience, and tactical intuition make him a formidable addition to the Grenadiers' ambitions of winning races in 2026.

Sam Welsford stated: "I am truly excited to become a Grenadier. I have always admired the team's professionalism and how they commit fully to achieving a goal. I feel this is the right environment to continue progressing as a sprinter and to achieve great results. I am eager to contribute, learn, and race with the kind of intent this team is renowned for".

Geraint Thomas, Sports Director, added: "In the past, we haven't had many sprinters on the team, but when we have, they've had some success, so I hope Sam can continue this tradition. We also believe Sam has much more to express. The team has shown how skilled we are at positioning our athletes for sprints, so we will try to give him as many opportunities to win as possible. He has an excellent track pedigree - Olympic champion and multiple world champion in team pursuit - so the way he is accustomed to working will fit perfectly into our team's environment. I am really excited to see him in our jersey."