News: Steve Cummings Joins Ineos

Stephen Cummings has joined the Ineos team to take on a varied role as a development Sport Director and coach.

News: Steve Cummings Joins Ineos

Steve Cummings spent his racing career leaving a unique mark on some of cycling’s biggest races and became known as one of the most tactically astute riders of his generation. Now, the 39 year old is ready for his next adventure with the INEOS Grenadiers. Cummings officially joined the team at the turn of the year and will be taking on a varied role as a development Sport Director and coach.

The two-time Tour de France stage winner and former British national road and time trial champion stopped racing at the end of the 2019 season and embarked on a new journey, studying a sports business management degree with an open mind to what his future held. Yet he soon found he missed the buzz of competition – the lifelong racer missed racing.

“When I stopped racing, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” says Cummings, from his family home on the Wirrall. “I started studying because I felt like I needed a bit more in my life. I tried to do a few things but I missed that competitive edge and competition.

“I’ve always kept in touch with Dave and we spoke for a while about various things, and eventually he offered me an opportunity to be a part of the team. A lot of the studying I’ve done is around leadership and anywhere you go, Dave is used as an example. I guess he’s kind of like a role model to me. I’ve always been interested in that side of the sport, the leadership and team culture, and to be joining now when Dave is adding an extra dimension to what the team already does so well is so exciting.”

Cummings will work closely with his fellow Sport Directors as well as Director of Racing Rod Ellingworth and Director of Performance Dan Hunt, as the team seeks to build on the more expansive style of racing that proved so effective at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana in 2020. “For me, that’s the really exciting part,” enthuses Cummings. “That’s what I’m passionate about – riders winning, everyone getting an opportunity, and how that can affect the group. Starting as many races as we can thinking about how we’re going to win the race. That’s quite a challenge and very inspiring.

“This team has been so incredibly successful in what they’ve done, and that isn’t being changed, it’s just being tweaked and an extra dimension added, which hopefully will bring more success. Riders will see that everyone will get an opportunity, but to earn that opportunity you need discipline and commitment.”
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The lead-up and preparation to this season has been like no other but Steve is excited about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“I’m so keen to learn and even though it hasn’t been straightforward so far with a lack of face-to-face time and the difficult period we’re all living through, it’s been great to see how Dave, Rod, Dan and the Sports Directors all work up close. The year is all about learning and making the most of the opportunities I have. I’m here to support the other Sport Directors and riders as best I can.

“It takes time to become a good Sport Director and coach. I’m working hard in the background and I’ve done a lot of theory work and now I need to connect that with the practical side. This year, success for me would be integration, continued learning and building trust and a rapport with team members.”

It’s clear that Cummings has got that competitive buzz back. And that he’s ready for his next adventure, this time as a Grenadier.

Steve Cummings: “This year, success for me would be integration, continued learning and building trust and a rapport with team members.” The lead-up and preparation to this season has been like no other but Steve is excited about the challenges and opportunities ahead. “I’m so keen to learn and even though it hasn’t been straightforward so far with a lack of face-to-face time and the difficult period we’re all living through, it’s been great to see how Dave, Rod, Dan and the Sports Directors all work up close. The year is all about learning and making the most of the opportunities I have. I’m here to support the other Sport Directors and riders as best I can.