INEOS Grenadiers to launch Racing Academy in 2026 as WorldTour pathway takes shape
Launching in 2026, the INEOS Grenadiers Racing Academy brings together a UCI Continental team and elite development programme designed to teach young riders not just how to race, but how to be professionals.
INEOS Grenadiers will launch a new Racing Academy in 2026, formalising a performance pathway designed to identify, prepare and develop the next generation of professional riders. The announcement, made by the team on 18 December, confirms that the programme will centre on a British-registered UCI Continental men’s team – the only one of its kind in Britain next season – alongside a wider elite development structure intended to mirror WorldTour standards from the outset.
According to the team’s press release, the Racing Academy will act as the cornerstone of the Grenadiers’ performance pathway, bringing together young riders from across the world in a structured environment designed to prepare them for the demands of elite racing. The stated emphasis is not solely on results, but on developing riders who combine talent with resilience, professionalism and the capacity to operate within a team at the highest level.
The inaugural Racing Academy roster, as outlined in the team’s announcement, spans five continents, and features a group that blends junior promise with riders who already have experience at Continental level, creating a mixed cohort where learning and leadership are expected to flow in multiple directions.
Mattie Dodd. Image: INEOS Grenadiers
Among the British riders is Mattie Dodd (21), a familiar name to The British Continental as one of our journal contributors. Embedded in the Austrian racing scene in recent seasons at Tirol KTM, Dodd has built a reputation for his work ethic and race intelligence, showing an ability to read situations, commit fully to team roles and influence races beyond raw numbers. His inclusion aligns closely with the Academy’s stated aim of developing riders who understand the collective demands of elite racing.
He is joined by Josh Charlton (22), one of Britain’s most decorated track riders of his generation. A world champion and world record holder in the individual pursuit, Charlton now turns his attention to the road, bringing with him a formidable engine and a background steeped in high-performance environments. Max Hinds (18) adds further pedigree, having medalled twice at the Junior World Track Championships and placed fourth in the Junior World Road Race in Kigali. Dylan Sage (18), a Maindy Flyers product, arrives with echoes of Geraint Thomas’ own beginnings, while Max Standen (18) represents a different pathway altogether, transitioning from mountain biking with notable physical and technical potential.
The international intake underlines the Academy’s global reach. Hugo Boucher (18, France) and Davide Frigo (18, Italy) have already demonstrated tactical maturity in demanding junior one-day races, while Nicolas Milesi (21, Italy)and Theodor Storm (20, Denmark) bring experience from Continental-level racing. Milkias Maekele (20, Eritrea) arrives as a proven sprinter on African and Asian circuits, stepping onto the European stage with an eye on higher-level opportunities. From Australia, Fletcher Medway (18) continues a rapid rise after switching from triathlon, while Cameron Rogers (21) brings both results – including a prologue win at the Tour of Austria – and a familial link to the Grenadiers’ past through his uncle, Michael Rogers.
For Geraint Thomas, now Director of Racing, the Academy model reflects his own formative experiences. Speaking in the team’s press release, Thomas highlighted the importance of learning how to be a professional as much as learning how to win.
Josh Charlton. Image: INEOS Grenadiers
“The academy system played a major role in shaping my career,” Thomas said. “It taught me how to be a pro – looking after myself, staying healthy, being organised and preparing properly. All those simple habits and behaviours have stayed with me throughout my career.”
He added that the priority for the Racing Academy is helping young riders understand the full scope of professional life, from race-craft and physical preparation to emotional management and life away from home. “It’s not just about hitting numbers,” Thomas said. “It’s the full package.”
In a domestic context where development pathways have often felt fragmented, the creation of a British-registered Continental team embedded within a WorldTour structure is a significant intervention.
INEOS Grenadiers will launch a new Racing Academy in 2026, formalising a performance pathway designed to identify, prepare and develop the next generation of professional riders. The announcement, made by the team on 18 December, confirms that the programme will centre on a British-registered UCI Continental men’s team – the only one of its kind in Britain next season – alongside a wider elite development structure intended to mirror WorldTour standards from the outset.
According to the team’s press release, the Racing Academy will act as the cornerstone of the Grenadiers’ performance pathway, bringing together young riders from across the world in a structured environment designed to prepare them for the demands of elite racing. The stated emphasis is not solely on results, but on developing riders who combine talent with resilience, professionalism and the capacity to operate within a team at the highest level.
The inaugural Racing Academy roster, as outlined in the team’s announcement, spans five continents, and features a group that blends junior promise with riders who already have experience at Continental level, creating a mixed cohort where learning and leadership are expected to flow in multiple directions.
Among the British riders is Mattie Dodd (21), a familiar name to The British Continental as one of our journal contributors. Embedded in the Austrian racing scene in recent seasons at Tirol KTM, Dodd has built a reputation for his work ethic and race intelligence, showing an ability to read situations, commit fully to team roles and influence races beyond raw numbers. His inclusion aligns closely with the Academy’s stated aim of developing riders who understand the collective demands of elite racing.
He is joined by Josh Charlton (22), one of Britain’s most decorated track riders of his generation. A world champion and world record holder in the individual pursuit, Charlton now turns his attention to the road, bringing with him a formidable engine and a background steeped in high-performance environments. Max Hinds (18) adds further pedigree, having medalled twice at the Junior World Track Championships and placed fourth in the Junior World Road Race in Kigali. Dylan Sage (18), a Maindy Flyers product, arrives with echoes of Geraint Thomas’ own beginnings, while Max Standen (18) represents a different pathway altogether, transitioning from mountain biking with notable physical and technical potential.
The international intake underlines the Academy’s global reach. Hugo Boucher (18, France) and Davide Frigo (18, Italy) have already demonstrated tactical maturity in demanding junior one-day races, while Nicolas Milesi (21, Italy)and Theodor Storm (20, Denmark) bring experience from Continental-level racing. Milkias Maekele (20, Eritrea) arrives as a proven sprinter on African and Asian circuits, stepping onto the European stage with an eye on higher-level opportunities. From Australia, Fletcher Medway (18) continues a rapid rise after switching from triathlon, while Cameron Rogers (21) brings both results – including a prologue win at the Tour of Austria – and a familial link to the Grenadiers’ past through his uncle, Michael Rogers.
For Geraint Thomas, now Director of Racing, the Academy model reflects his own formative experiences. Speaking in the team’s press release, Thomas highlighted the importance of learning how to be a professional as much as learning how to win.
“The academy system played a major role in shaping my career,” Thomas said. “It taught me how to be a pro – looking after myself, staying healthy, being organised and preparing properly. All those simple habits and behaviours have stayed with me throughout my career.”
He added that the priority for the Racing Academy is helping young riders understand the full scope of professional life, from race-craft and physical preparation to emotional management and life away from home. “It’s not just about hitting numbers,” Thomas said. “It’s the full package.”
In a domestic context where development pathways have often felt fragmented, the creation of a British-registered Continental team embedded within a WorldTour structure is a significant intervention.
Read our team guide here.
Featured image: INEOS Grenadiers. Max Hinds
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