Javier Romo has signed a two-year contract with Netcompany INEOS for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, completing his departure from Movistar Team after the two sides agreed to end their agreement early. The 27-year-old Spaniard adds another climbing and stage-racing option to a British WorldTour squad undertaking an extensive rebuild ahead of next season.
Movistar confirmed on Sunday that Romo had ridden his final race for the team at the Tour of Guangxi, despite having a contract that was due to run until the end of 2028. Netcompany INEOS have now confirmed his destination, bringing the transfer to a conclusion after several weeks of speculation over his future.
The move comes after three seasons with Movistar in which Romo developed into a useful general classification rider and an attacking presence in the mountains. His 2025 Tour Down Under stage victory remains his most important professional win, while seventh overall at the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country suggests he can still be competitive in the more demanding week-long races.
Movistar release Romo two years before his contract expired
Romo joined Movistar from Astana Qazaqstan for the 2024 season and subsequently agreed an extension that was intended to keep him with the Spanish team through 2028. His exit therefore required a mutual agreement rather than the straightforward expiry of a contract at the end of the season.
The Spanish team announced on 18 October that the Tour of Guangxi had been his final appearance in Movistar colours. He finished 12th overall in China, bringing an end to a three-year spell that had included both his first professional win and several strong stage-race performances. ProCyclingUK reported the early contract termination when it was announced, before his next team had been officially named.
Although his departure had been linked with INEOS for some time, the team’s confirmation changes the story from a contract release to a completed transfer. No publicly verified transfer fee or compensation arrangement has been established, and the circumstances should not be interpreted as evidence of a dispute between Romo and his previous employer.
Tour Down Under breakthrough and strong Vuelta performances
Romo’s strongest season with Movistar was 2025. He broke clear late on stage three of the Tour Down Under to win in Uraidla, taking the race lead with a decisive solo attack. He eventually finished second overall behind Jhonatan Narváez, demonstrating that he could follow up a stage win with a serious general classification challenge.
That result helped establish him as more than a supporting climber. At the Vuelta a España later in the year he was aggressive in the breakaways, finishing second to Juan Ayuso on stage 12 after the pair escaped the rest of the field. He also recorded another stage podium, underlining his ability to turn a difficult day in the mountains into an opportunity for a result.
The 2026 campaign has brought fewer headline finishes, but he has remained a consistent performer. Seventh overall at the Itzulia Basque Country, including third on one stage, was his most significant result. He also finished 12th at Tirreno-Adriatico and 12th at the Tour of Guangxi, his final outing for Movistar.
His record points towards a rider who can be useful in several roles: protecting a team leader deep into a climbing stage, riding for a top-ten general classification position in shorter stage races, or chasing a stage victory when the race opens up. The question at his new team will be how often he receives the freedom to race for himself.
Photo Credit: GettyAnother piece in Netcompany INEOS’s 2027 overhaul
Romo becomes part of a substantial recruitment drive by Netcompany INEOS. The team have already confirmed Joe Blackmore and James Shaw, along with Clément Champoussin, Harold Tejada and Riley Sheehan. Together, the arrivals add both younger prospects and experienced riders capable of competing across different race profiles.
The change comes alongside some major departures. Filippo Ganna is heading to Lidl-Trek, while Magnus Sheffield will race for Uno-X Mobility. INEOS are therefore doing more than adding depth to an unchanged roster: they are altering the balance of a team that has struggled to match the strongest Grand Tour squads in recent seasons.
For Romo, there will be familiar Spanish riders in the set-up, including Carlos Rodríguez, while young Benjamín Noval is among the incoming talents. Romo offers a different kind of experience, having already raced the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, won at WorldTour level and developed a record of strong performances over week-long races.
The two-year agreement gives Netcompany INEOS time to work out where that combination fits best. Romo may not arrive as an automatic Grand Tour leader, but his results suggest he can strengthen the team’s climbing group and take opportunities when the route and race situation suit his aggressive approach.
