Rod Ellingworth has resigned as INEOS Grenadiers deputy team principal as he was the temporary replacement for Dave Brailsford as manager of the British cycling team.
Ellingworth was already closely involved in the founding of the then Team Sky in 2009 and was subsequently partly responsible for the sporting performance as a performance manager. In the meantime, he left for Bahrain Victorious, but returned to INEOS Grenadiers in 2021. On paper, Brailsford is still the team boss, but he was also given a larger role within the INEOS sports teams, with Ellingworth temporarily taking his place.
It is not clear why Ellingworth is withdrawing as boss of the British formation. The team was dominant in the Grand Tours for years, including seven overall victories in the Tour de France, but has not won a Grand Tour since Egan Bernal’s Giro in 2021.
According to The Telegraph, Brailsford could also leave INEOS Grenadiers. He would have a role at Manchester United, where INEOS owner Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly working on a takeover. Roger Hammond, Head of Racing at INEOS Grenadiers, would also leave.
“The team can confirm that deputy team boss, Rod Ellingworth, will leave the team at the end of the year. There will be no further comment at this time,” a statement said.
