Netcompany Ineos signs Joe Blackmore, Shaw, and Champoussin for 2027

Netcompany Ineos is moving into the market, focusing on a trio of climbers and talented young riders. Among the names announced on Wednesday is Joe Blackmore , 23, a former Tour de l'Avenir winner, who will wear the British team's jersey starting in 2027.

The young Briton arrives after two seasons with NSN and Israel-Premier Tech, which followed a simply extraordinary 2024: in that year Blackmore took both the Tour de l'Avenir and the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Under 23, putting two of the most prestigious titles for a young climber in his collection.

2026, however, was a year to forget. Knee problems ruined his season: he competed in just three races and retired three times. In 2025, however, he completed the Tour de France in his first full season as a professional and finished fourth in the Brabantse Fläche .

"I'm thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to spend the next three years of my career with Netcompany Ineos," Blackmore said in the team statement. "2026 was a tough year for me due to injuries, but it's made me even more motivated to reach my full potential."

Sports Director Geraint Thomas also expressed his confidence: "Joe is a rider we're following closely and believe has significant potential. He's already shown what he's capable of in various types of races, but above all, we think there's still a lot to see."

The second name is James Shaw , a 30-year-old British rider. He hasn't won a single race yet, but with seven Grand Tours under his belt, he's built a reputation as a solid and reliable climber. His is also a wonderful story of rebirth: after two years with Lotto, he spent three seasons on smaller teams outside the WorldTour, then returned to the top level, and for the last five years has raced with EF Education-EasyPost. "As a kid, this was the team that inspired me," he said. "I grew up admiring riders like Geraint Thomas, so being able to wear this jersey is a dream come true."

Third blow: Frenchman Clément Champoussin , 28, who is leaving XDS-Astana and signing until 2029. It will be his fourth professional team after AG2R-Decathlon, Arkéa-Samsic, and Astana. His most notable victory remains stage 20 of the 2021 Vuelta a España , won with a late attack on an Ardennes Classics course, beating Primoz Roglic. That day, however, the spotlight was stolen by the sensational retirement of Miguel Angel Lopez.

Champoussin's 2026 season started well, with a fifth-place finish at the Itzulia Basque Country and top-20 finishes at the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, before becoming more inconsistent midway through the season. It was also the first year since 2022 without a Grand Tour: his best result remains 16th place at the 2021 Vuelta. For Thomas, "Clément brings great experience and a new dimension to the group. He's a solid, strong, and consistent climber who has shown he can perform at the highest level."

The Netcompany Ineos transfer market is very lively. The departures include time trial giant Filippo Ganna , Americans AJ August and Magnus Sheffield , all-rounder Ben Swift , who is retiring, and Australian sprinter Sam Welsford . In the opposite direction, in addition to today's three names, Champoussin's former teammate Harold Tejada and the very young Spanish talent Benjamin Noval , a two-time junior world champion, have already been confirmed.