Jonathan Narvaez wins the first stage of the 2024 Giro d’Italia in the Ineos colours (Fabio Ferrari)
The Tour de France-winning team announced on Thursday that Ecuadorian cyclist Jonathan Narvaez was leaving Ineos after six years to join Tadej Pogacar’s UAE team.
The 27-year-old puncher has 11 professional victories to his name, most notably two stage wins at the Giro d’Italia in 2020 and 2024, and a gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Championships road race.
“From the beginning of my career, I always wanted to compete at the highest level of cycling and I am honoured to move to UAE Team Emirates, which I would say has been the best team in the world over the last few years,” said Narvaez, who is in his sixth season with Ineos.
“I feel like I’ve made some big steps with Ineos, but I think there’s still room to take some more steps in the coming years.”
When the transfer window opened on Thursday, the transfers of Australian Ben O’Connor and Frenchman Axel Zingle were both announced.
O’Connor, who placed fourth in the 2021 Tour de France, is leaving Decathlon AG2R after four seasons to return to his home country of Australia with the Jaico AlUla team.
“Racing as an Australian and winning for an Australian team is something I’ve always dreamed of,” O’Connor, 28, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Jingl has signed a minimum two-year contract with Visma Riis Bikes, the team of two-time Tour de France winners Jonas Wingegaard and Wout van Aert.
The 25-year-old rider, described by Visma as “a great talent in the classics”, will leave the Cofidis team, which has also announced the addition of Belgian rider Dylan Teuns.
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