Man Utd over INEOS Grenadiers: Ratcliffe slammed amid recent chaos

Cameron Smith

• 21 Oct 2024 16:00 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been criticised for prioritising the Old Trafford club over WorldTour cycling outfit INEOS Grenadiers.

Team INEOS - formerly known as Team Sky - were the dominant force in cycling during the 2010s, but they have regressed massively since Ratcliffe’s arrival in 2019 and they endured a torrid 2024 season.

INEOS registered just six WorldTour wins during the entire year - only the eighth most of any team despite having the joint-second biggest budget in the peloton.

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Furthermore, star rider Tom Pidcock has been heavily linked with an exit following his exclusion from Il Lombardia - one of the biggest events of the year - while the talented Ethan Hayter has already confirmed that he will be joining rival team Soudal Quick-Step in 2025.

During an interview with Eurosport, Hayter revealed the reason behind his decision to leave INEOS at the end of this season.

“I think it’s time for a change,” he admitted. “The team [Soudal Quick-Step] really has passion for racing, and I’m excited to get started.”

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When asked about INEOS’ struggles and the chaos behind the scenes, Hayter was brutally honest in his reply. “I don’t really know what’s going on to be honest,” he said.

“I’ve had a tricky year working with them and once I was leaving it was even trickier. I wish them all the best for next year, but they could do with a couple of changes.”

Ratcliffe criticised

Ratcliffe’s decision to buy a minority stake in Man Utd has shifted his focus away from cycling, while Sir Dave Brailsford, a key reason behind Team Sky’s success, has also moved away from the day-to-day operations at INEOS Grenadiers.

In response to Hayter’s interview, one fan commented: “The owner [Ratcliffe] seems to have got bored with the whole thing. Evidently his enthusiasm is with yachting and football.”

Another added: “That says it all, INEOS is definitely in trouble and seems to be rotten at the core.”