Oscar Onley Transfer Deal to Join Ineos Grenadiers All But Done

Oscar Onley is poised to leave Picnic PostNL, with multiple sources telling Velo that an agreement for the rising British Tour de France talent to join Ineos Grenadiers is imminent.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the 23-year-old could finalize terms with the British super team within days, with only an unexpected last-minute hitch derailing the deal.

Despite having two years remaining on his deal with Picnic PostNL, sources tell Velo that negotiations for an early exit are nearing completion.

That would open the door for the third-year WorldTour pro to join Ineos Grenadiers, sources told Velo.

Onley’s breakout fourth place at the 2025 Tour de France turned him into one of the most sought-after riders in the 2025-26 transfer market, and he drew interest from dozens of teams.

Daniel Benson, who initially revealed links between Onley and Ineos earlier this month, reported Wednesday that Onley did not show up to a scheduled team camp in Spain, adding further speculation about the rider’s future with the team.

Onley’s likely exit comes as Picnic PostNL was issued a limited WorldTour license for its men’s and women’s teams for 2026 on Wednesday, but with the caveat of only one year, rather than the normal three-season allotment, hinting at financial woes for the Dutch team.

“The UCI License Commission has decided to limit the duration of the license to one year and to set conditions related to the financial criterion that must be met to permit its extension to the 2027 and 2028 seasons,” the UCI stated.

The missing UK link for Ineos

A deal between Onley and Ineos could be an ideal fit for both parties.

Onley’s arrival would be a coup for the team and bring the most promising young UK rider onto its roster. After the acrimonious departure of Tom Pidcock to Q36.5 last year and the retirement of Thomas, the team is lacking a marquee British rider.

Onley — viewed as a rider with grand tour podium potential — would be expected to improve under the resources, coaching, and technical assistance of Ineos Grenadiers.

Ineos Grenadiers has been active on the transfer market this season with the return of Dave Brailsford to a higher-profile role to help revive the once-mighty Tour de France-dominating team.

The Ineos/Sky juggernaut won seven yellow jerseys within eight years with four different riders, but has not won the Tour during this decade and the rise of the Tadej Pogačar era.

With many of the peloton’s top confirmed GC winners locked down in contracts on rival teams, Ineos is doing what it can to bolster its roster in the transfer market.

Recent signings for 2025 include Kévin Vauquelin and Embret Svenstad-Bårdseng (both from Arkea B&B), Theodor Storm (Lotto Kern-Haus), Dorian Godon (Decathlon-Ag2r), and, most recently, Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious).

Efforts to sign Derek Gee from Israel-Premier Tech earlier this season have been bogged down by a contract dispute, and so far remain in an arbitration panel.

Much of the core of the team remains intact, with Michael Leonard transferring to EF Education-EasyPost. Caleb Ewan, Jonathan Castroviejo, Omar Fraile, and Salvatore Puccio all joined Geraint Thomas in retirement, with the 2018 Tour winner slotting into a high-profile sporting manager role.

Modern Adventure, Lotto merger secure licenses

The latest transfer moves come after the UCI confirmed racing licenses for the 2026 season.

The headline news is that George Hincapie’s Modern Adventure Cycling project received its official racing license at the ProTeam level for its debut season in 2026.

The UCI also made official the Lotto-Intermarché merger and will race with a WorldTour license for the 2026-2028 three-year period.

With an extra spot, Uno-X leaps into the men’s WorldTour. Cofidis was relegated while Arkéa B&B is closing shop.

In total, 14 women’s teams and 18 men’s teams will race with WorldTour licenses next season.

UCI Women’s WorldTeams (2026–2028)

AG Insurance-Soudal Team (AGS – BEL)

Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto (CSZ – GER)

EF Education-Oatly (EFO – USA)

FDJ United-Suez (TFS – FRA)

Fenix-Premier Tech (FPT – BEL)

Human Powered Health (HPH – USA)

Lidl-Trek (LTK – GER)

Liv-AlUla-Jayco (LIV – AUS)

Movistar Team (MOV – ESP)

Team Picnic PostNL (TPP – NED)

(*License limited to one year; financial conditions must be met for extension to 2027–2028)

Team SD Worx-Protime (SDW – NED)

Team Visma | Lease a Bike (TVL – NED)

UAE Team ADQ (UAD – UAE)

Uno-X Mobility (UXM – NOR)

UCI Men’s WorldTeams (2026–2028)

Alpecin-Premier Tech (APC – BEL)

Bahrain Victorious (TBV – BRN)

Decathlon CMA CGM Team (DCT – FRA)

EF Education-EasyPost (EFE – USA)

Groupama-FDJ United (GFC – FRA)

Ineos Grenadiers (IGD – GBR)

Lidl-Trek (LTK – GER)

Lotto Intermarché (LOI – BEL)

Movistar Team (MOV – ESP)

NSN Cycling Team (NSN – SUI)

Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe (RBH – GER)

Soudal Quick-Step (SOQ – BEL)

Team Jayco AlUla (JAY – AUS)

Team Picnic PostNL (TPP – NED)

(*License limited to one year; financial conditions must be met for extension to 2027–2028)

Team Visma-Lease a Bike (TVL – NED)

UAE Team Emirates XRG (UAD – UAE)

Uno-X Mobility (UXM – NOR)

XDS Astana Team (XAT – KAZ)