Magnus Sheffield signs two-year contract extension at Ineos Grenadiers

American rider Magnus Sheffield has signed a new two-year deal with Ineos Grenadiers that will tie him to the team until the end of 2026.

Sheffield, 21, had been out of contract at the end of the season but his new deal demonstrates Ineos’ commitment to young talent.

“Growing up it was a big goal of mine to join this team, with riders that I looked up to, and who were role models for me, so just to be a part of it is a massive accomplishment. And I'm really excited to be part of its future for the coming years,” Sheffield said in a statement released by his team.

“The opportunity to be in this environment which has been incredibly supportive - both on and off the bike - is a real privilege and I see it as the perfect place for the next chapter of my career."

Sheffield also mentioned his long-term ambitions within the statement, with one eye on his home Olympics in four years.

"This year is important to me with the Olympic Games in Paris, which is a big goal of mine especially ahead of my home Games in LA in 2028. Another goal this year is to win my first WorldTour race, as well as a stage race, and I would really like to go for one of the Monuments or one of the big Classics, there’s so much to aim for!"

Sheffield joined the British team in 2022 and made an instant impression by winning a stage in the Ruta del Sol. A month after that victory he took another massive step forward with victory in De Brabantse Pijl. The 2023 season started brightly with fourth overall in the Tour Down Under but a crash in the Tour de Suisse ended his hopes of racing the Tour de France and he spent the second half of the year returning to full fitness.

Earlier in February, Sheffield finished second to Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) in the time trial at the Volta ao Algarve, and a top-10 finish on GC looked likely until an untimely mechanical hit on the final stage.

Read more:

• Despite teamwork from Geraint Thomas, a puncture robs Magnus Sheffield of Volta ao Algarve top-10
• Magnus Sheffield sees bigger picture after valiant second to Evenepoel in Volta ao Algarve TT

He will race Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico in the coming weeks before making his Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia in May where he will support Geraint Thomas and target the two individual time trials.

“Magnus has clearly demonstrated, in his brief career so far, that he’s an enormous talent. He’s delivered some outstanding performances on the bike and has a huge scope to grow. That promise is coupled with an attitude and demeanour off the bike that makes him a very impressive young professional. The Grenadiers are focused on developing some of the world’s best talent and Magnus is an example of our commitment to that objective. We’re very excited about the career he has ahead and supporting him in achieving the big ambitions that he has set for himself,” said Ineos Grenadiers CEO John Allert.

GCN Transfer Analysis

Keeping Sheffield was a must for the British after such a strong start to his pro career. He follows the old Team Sky mode of rising through the ranks on the track before honing his skills against the clock and then branching out into specialities. He's not a Grand Tour contender at this point in his career but neither were Geraint Thomas or Bradley Wiggins when they were 21.

The American still has huge untapped potential and had it not been for his crash in the Tour de Suisse last summer we would already be talking about a Tour de France debutant. A start in the Tour may have to wait another season but Ineos have made the right call in extending Sheffield's contract before interest from rival teams peaks during the Giro d’Italia. 

It's true, a two-year extension is on the short side for a WorldTour contract these days, especially when it comes to young talent, but the move fends off rival interest and gives the rider to chance to develop before talk of another deal comes around in a couple of years.

The move also demonstrates Ineos’ desire to recruit and improve young talent. The team signed fellow youngsters AJ August and Theodor Storm in the off-season, and the year before they picked up Josh Tarling, Leo Hayter and Michael Leonard. The team might not have a Tour de France contender on their books for 2024 but they are certainly laying the foundations for the future with their current recruitment strategy.