Ineos Grenadiers has continued its efforts to snap up very young riders with the signing of 18-year-old Josh Tarling. The British rider, who is currently in his second season as a junior, will jump straight into the World Tour next year.
The announcement he is joining the team, and so bypassing U23 racing, comes after Ineos Grenadiers also confirmed the signing of Leo Hayter; the 20-year-old who won the Baby Giro this year. The team also signed Australian Luke Plapp last year, when he was aged 20 years.
Tarling, who was 2nd in the junior TT at the World Road Championships last year, won the TT stage and overall at Tour de Gironde International (2.1) this year. He also won the TT stages at Trophée Centre Morbihan (2.Ncup) and LVM Saarland Trofeo (2.Ncup).
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He was European junior champion in the omnium and team pursuit last year and took three bronze medals at the Europeans this year as well as gaining selection for Wales for the Commonwealth Games currently underway.
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Ineos Grenadiers deputy team principal Rod Ellingworth said the team was delighted to sign the British teenager. "Josh is only 18 and we’re already seeing some big performances from him.
"His TT at last year’s world championships was one of those standout performances and now we want to support and help Josh build upon results like that as part of our talent programme. There is a network in place to develop him further and allow him to become the kind of rider he wants to be.”
Tarling will continue to focus on his track racing as well as his road commitments with Ineos Grenadiers next year, saying he had always dreamt of one day riding for the team.
"I am excited to become a Grenadier and continue developing and learning from the likes of G, Ethan, Filippo as well as all the coaching staff and management. I am aware it’s a big step but witnessing how the team has invested in a core group of young riders, it is the perfect environment for my development over the coming seasons.”
