Carlos Rodríguez is out of the Tour: INEOS bets on Bernal, Arensman, and Vauquelin

The Netcompany INEOS has already confirmed the lineup with which it will face the 2026 Tour de France, a formation that combines experience in Grand Tours, power for the opening team time trial in Barcelona, and several riders capable of seeking stage victories. The big surprise for Spanish cycling is the absence of Carlos Rodríguez, who is left out of the Grande Boucle for the first time since his debut in the race.

INEOS bets on offense in the 2026 Tour and leaves Carlos Rodríguez out

The British team approaches the 113th edition of the Tour with a clearly offensive strategy. The competition director, Geraint Thomas, made it clear what the team's philosophy will be during the three weeks of racing.

“This team has riders that people love to see compete. They will have the freedom to try and race aggressively for the three weeks. Fortune favors the brave. We haven't come to this Tour to follow the race; we've come to set the pace”.

The Welshman also highlighted the importance of the team time trial in Barcelona, a discipline in which the British team has shown great form throughout the season.

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“The team time trial in Barcelona represents a great opportunity to start strong. This year we have performed very well in this discipline and we are going to give it our all. After that, it will be a completely open race and we are ready to face the challenge”.

Bernal, Arensman, and Vauquelin lead the team's aspirations

The lineup presents several cards for the mountains and the general classification. Egan Bernal returns to lead the team in the Tour after regaining sensations in recent seasons. The winner of the 2019 edition assured that he arrives motivated for the year's big event.

“The Tour de France is a special race for me, and I am grateful and happy to be competing at this level again. I feel good, I am motivated, and I am ready to give my all for this group of riders”.

Alongside the Colombian will be riders like Thymen Arensman, stage winner in Grand Tours and one of the strongest climbers on the team, as well as Kévin Vauquelin, seventh in last year's Tour and one of the team's major bets to seek prominence in the mountains and on medium mountain stages.

The power for the team time trial will fall on specialists like Filippo Ganna, Josh Tarling, and Tobias Foss, while the experience of Michał Kwiatkowski and the versatility of Dorian Godon complete one of the most balanced rosters in the race.

Carlos Rodríguez, the big absence

Beyond the announced lineup, the news has been marked by the absence of Carlos Rodríguez. The rider from Granada is not among the eight selected despite having competed in the last three editions of the Tour and having secured a brilliant stage victory in Morzine and a fifth-place finish in 2023.

After remaining several months without competing following the 2025 Tour, his results at the start of this year have been far from those that allowed him to establish himself as one of the references in Spanish cycling. Rodríguez finished 23rd in Paris-Nice, 26th in the Volta a Catalunya, 12th in the Tour de Romandie, and 20th in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

His absence represents another blow to Spanish representation in the Grande Boucle. Riders like Iván Romeo, Pello Bilbao, or Mikel Landa will also be absent due to various physical issues, while Enric Mas will focus his season on the Vuelta a España after deciding with the Movistar Team to forgo the Tour.

Netcompany INEOS lineup for the 2026 Tour de France

1. Thymen Arensman
2. Egan Bernal
3. Tobias Foss
4. Filippo Ganna
5. Dorian Godon
6. Michał Kwiatkowski
7. Josh Tarling
8. Kévin Vauquelin