Aussie sprinter finds new team in latest bid to reinvigorate career

Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan has rolled the dice on his professional cycling career, signing a late one-year deal with Ineos Grenadiers.
Ewan had signed with Jayco AlUla last season after five years of diminishing returns with Lotto Soudal.
However, just before the Tour Down Under, Ewan was removed from the squad list of the Australian team, leading to speculation over whether he would be lost to the tour.
The 30-year-old, who has won five stages at the Tour de France in his career, has landed at the British squad in a bid to save his career.
“This is a really exciting new challenge for me,” Ewan told the Ineos website.
“And a fantastic opportunity to get back to my best.”
At his best, Ewan is one of the best sprinters on the planet.
A five time stage winner at the Tour de France, with another five victories at the Giro d’Italia and one at the Vuelta a España, Ewan is among a select group who has won stages at all three grand tours.
However, after a promising start to his career, his output has diminished greatly in recent seasons.
After bursting onto the scene with the team then known as Orica GreenEdge, Ewan was able to continue winning once he moved to Lotto Soudal.
However, that output decreased dramatically — he has not won a stage at a grand tour since 2021.
After being criticised by his team boss in 2023, Ewan departed the Belgian squad by mutual consent, rocking up at Jayco AlUla for last season.
However, the Aussie was second in the sprinting pecking order behind Dutch sprinter Dylan Groenewegen and was not selected for the Tour de France.
He recorded just three victories for Jayco AlUla in 2024.
“In 2025, my goal is to return to winning big races,” Ewan said in a statement.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve won some of those major events but I firmly believe I have it in me.
“I’m still only 30, and with the right guidance … I believe I can rediscover my best form here.
“We haven’t finalised my race programme yet, but I’m looking forward to having those discussions with the team.
“It will be exciting to combine their ideas with my ambitions and together create an exciting race calendar.”
Rumours had been circulating about Ewan joining the team at this year’s Tour Down Under, with Ineos veteran Geraint Thomas telling media he would be a good addition to the team at the pre-race briefing on Monday.
“I know him well, he’s a good mate and if he did come here that would be great because obviously we lack a sprinter and 40 per cent of races end in a sprint don’t they so it would be handy to have.
“Hopefully it happens.”