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Team Sky to become Team INEOS

  • Ron 

Confirming media suspicions from late Monday, Sky and 21st Century Fox today confirmed that they have agreed to sell Team Sky to INEOS.

INEOS will become the sole owners of Tour Racing Limited (the team’s holding company) from 1 May this year and will continue
to fund the current team in full, honouring all existing commitments to riders, staff and partners.

The launch of Team INEOS will take place at the Tour de Yorkshire which starts in Doncaster on May 2nd.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman and Chief Executive of INEOS, said: “Cycling is a great endurance and tactical sport that is gaining ever more popularity around the world. Equally, cycling continues to mushroom for the general public as it is seen to be good for fitness and health, together with easing congestion and pollution in city environments. INEOS is delighted to take on the responsibility of running such a professional team.”

Jeremy Darroch, Sky Group CEO, said: “We are pleased that the team’s future has been secured under new ownership. This brings to a close Sky’s decade-long involvement with cycling, which has created unprecedented success and inspired millions more people to cycle regularly. I’d like to thank all members of Team Sky, past and present, for their contribution to our journey together. We wish the team and INEOS all the best for the future and look forward to watching the next chapter in the story.”

Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Principal, said: “Today’s announcement is great news for the team, for cycling fans, and for the sport more widely. It ends the uncertainty around the team and the speed with which it has happened represents a huge vote of confidence in our future. In Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, I know that we have found the right partner whose vision, passion and pioneering spirit can lead us to even greater success on and off the bike. It heralds the start of a hugely exciting new chapter for us all as Team INEOS. I would like to personally thank Jeremy Darroch, who over a decade ago had the vision to back us when others thought we were crazy. His support for the team through thick and thin has been remarkable and everyone at Team Sky thanks him for all he has done for our sport.”

The practicalities of the transfer are subject to further discussion with the Union Cycliste Internationale.

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