CyclistOpinion: How do you solve a problem like Ineos?The entire annual budget of Equipo Kern Pharma, whose three recent Vuelta a Espaa stage victories amounted to three more than Ineos Grenadiers managed, equates to the same estimated 4 million earned by a single Ineos rider, Tom Pidcock, each year. Thats the same Pidcock who has notched just a single road win in 2024 and who reportedly clashed with team management over his poor performances in the Tour of Britain.Architect of two of those Kern Pharma victories was Pablo Castrillo the same Castrillo whose links to Ineos Grenadiers resurfaced in the wake of his unexpected Stage 12 Vuelta triumph. No sooner had the 23-year-old emerged through the mist to double up at Cuitu Negru three days later, however, than doubts about his move began to arise.That was at the beginning of September. Fast forward a month and a bit and Movistar have just announced Castrillo will ride for them in 2025. How has it come to this the WorldTours once most dominant force outmanoeuvred even in the bargain basement?Unipublic/Sprint Cycling AgencyIt has now been more than three years since Ineos won a Grand Tour Egan Bernal in the 2021 Giro; more than four years since the last Tour win the same rider in 2020; seven years since Chris Froomes Vuelta victory. That period has produced just a single Monument win Dylan van Baarles Paris-Roubaix triumph in 2022.Like many, Van Baarle has since flown the nest. At the Vuelta, the best-placed rider from Ineos was Carlos Rodrguez, who slumped to tenth behind former teammates Richard Carapaz, Mikel Landa and Pavel Sivakov. Two more riders released by Ineos Adam Yates and Eddie Dunbar picked up stage wins in Spain. Rodrguez finished behind Yates and Landa in the Tour. Geraint Thomas made the final podium in the Giro, but behind another Ineos alumnus, Dani Martnez, who now rides for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.With Luke Rowe retiring and Thomas entering what looks to be his last year, fans are entitled to ask whats next? While Ethan Hayter and Jhonatan Narvez pack their bags, Ineos focus on extending the contracts of stagnating stalwarts like Omar Fraile. The outgoings are more acutely felt set against the quality of whats coming in. Last years star signing was Tobias Foss, while 2025 welcomes veteran Bob Jungels and youngsters Axel Laurance and Sam Watson. Pulses have not been set racing. Related Posts GOAT Bingo: What does Tadej Pogaar still have left to win? Opinion: What is PrimoRoglis legacy? Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Elisa Longo Borghini finally confirms move to UAE Team ADQ, Kasper Asgreen signs for EF and Tom Pidcock rumoured to join second-division Q36.5 Il Lombardia 2024: Everything you need to know A.S.O./Charly LopezI cant help but think Ineos missed a trick by not being involved in Mark Cavendishs Tour record bid. What Cav achieved at Astana would have brought prestige and purpose to a British team that has lost any hope of winning the Tour while Tadej Pogaar and Jonas Vingegaard are around.Snapping up Primo Rogli would have offered a lifeline: a proven all-round force as opposed to an ageing Thomas or a future prospect like Rodrguez.Its not just the riders and ambition that are disappearing: manager Rod Ellingworth has left again, directeur sportif Steve Cummings appears to be frozen out, and Dave Brailsford has aligned himself to Manchester United, a football team whose own fall from grace is even more staggering.So, how to stop the rot? Get Brailsford back, for starters. He has an aura and a winning mentality. Even when hes just visiting, Sir Dave gets the best out of the riders. Jim Ratcliffe may want him at Manchester United but thats like trying to knit a jumper with a knife when that knife would be far better carving a chicken.With Pogaar peerless at UAE Team Emirates, perhaps Ineos could exploit the frustrations of teammates Juan Ayuso or Joo Almeida? More realistically, young Frenchman Kvin Vauquelin is out of contract soon and could be an interesting project.Patrik Lundin/CyclistThen theres Belgian World and double Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel, who could leave Soudal-QuickStep soon. Wouldnt he offer far better value for money than Pidcocks 4m? And should Evenepoel join Red Bull instead, then Rogli may reappear on the market. Even at 34, the Slovenian is a winner who could deliver while overseeing a much-needed transition.First up, though, is sorting out Pidcocks role and helping him get his mojo back. Sit him down and tell him he wont ever win the Tour. He is far more valuable as a livewire stage hunter and one-day specialist. To get the best out of him, Pidcock needs to be let loose. Once the hierarchy is clear, the atmosphere will return. Because as things stand, the instability on the team may explain why an emerging talent like Castrillo is more inclined to be an Ineos mutineer rather than a Grenadier. This article originally appeared in issue 157 of Cyclist magazine. Click here to subscribe Related Posts GOAT Bingo: What does Tadej Pogaar still have left to win? Opinion: What is PrimoRoglis legacy? Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Elisa Longo Borghini finally confirms move to UAE Team ADQ, Kasper Asgreen signs for EF and Tom Pidcock rumoured to join second-division Q36.5 Il Lombardia 2024: Everything you need to know The post Opinion: How do you solve a problem like Ineos? appeared first on Cyclist.