Michael Valgren will join Netcompany INEOS from EF Education–EasyPost for the 2027 season after signing a two-year contract with the British WorldTour team. The 34-year-old Dane arrives following a remarkable return to winning form in 2026, highlighted by victories at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro d’Italia.
The move gives Netcompany INEOS another experienced Classics rider as the team continues rebuilding its roster under director of racing Geraint Thomas. Valgren becomes the ninth new arrival announced for next season, bringing a record that includes victories at the 2018 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Amstel Gold Race.
His signing follows one of the most rewarding seasons of his career. Four years after suffering serious injuries in a crash that threatened his future in professional cycling, Valgren returned to the top step of a WorldTour podium in March before claiming his first Grand Tour stage victory in May.
He will leave EF after six seasons, bringing considerable experience of racing as both a protected rider and a domestique in the sport’s biggest events.
Photo Credit: GettyGiro d’Italia victory completes Valgren’s comeback
Valgren’s victory on stage 17 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia was among the most memorable moments of the race.
The Dane was part of a large breakaway that contested the mountainous 202-kilometre stage from Cassano d’Adda to Andalo. With the group repeatedly splitting and reforming on the final climbs, Valgren remained patient before attacking inside the final 1.1 kilometres.
He quickly established a small advantage and held off Andreas Leknessund and Damiano Caruso to secure his first Grand Tour stage victory.
As detailed in ProCyclingUK’s stage 17 race report, the decisive move came after a succession of attacks had exhausted the leading riders. Valgren recognised the moment of hesitation and committed to a final acceleration.
The result was particularly meaningful because of the difficult years that preceded it.
In June 2022, Valgren crashed heavily during the Route d’Occitanie, suffering a fractured pelvis, a dislocated hip and significant knee injuries. The recovery required surgery and an extended rehabilitation period, leaving serious uncertainty about whether he would return to professional racing.
He eventually resumed competition in 2023, initially riding for EF’s development team before returning to the WorldTour squad.
Progress was gradual. Although he regained the ability to compete in major races, victories proved elusive.
That changed during the fifth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico in March 2026. Valgren escaped from the breakaway on the demanding roads towards Mombaroccio and held off the chasing group to claim his first victory since 2021.
The Giro success followed just over two months later, confirming that he could still win against WorldTour opposition.
For Netcompany INEOS, those performances provide evidence that Valgren remains capable of taking opportunities of his own rather than arriving solely as an experienced support rider.
Former Amstel Gold and Omloop winner brings Classics experience
Long before his comeback, Valgren had established himself as one of Denmark’s strongest one-day racers.
He joined the WorldTour with Tinkoff-Saxo in 2014, having twice won the under-23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His early professional successes included overall victories at the Tour of Denmark in 2014 and 2016, along with the Danish national road race title.
His biggest breakthrough came after moving to Astana.
In 2018, he won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a late attack, establishing himself as a major contender in the cobbled Classics. Weeks later, he followed that result by winning Amstel Gold Race, beating Roman Kreuziger after escaping from the leading group.
He also finished fourth at the Tour of Flanders that year, demonstrating his ability to remain competitive across the different demands of the northern Classics.
Valgren subsequently moved to Dimension Data, later NTT, before joining EF Education–Nippo for 2021.
His first season with the American organisation brought victories at the Giro della Toscana and Coppa Sabatini, as well as bronze in the road race at the World Championships in Leuven.
The results reflected the range that had made him so effective earlier in his career. He could compete on the cobbles, survive repeated short climbs and produce decisive attacks after more than 200 kilometres of racing.
His 2026 performances suggest those qualities remain valuable despite the years interrupted by injury.
Photo Credit: GettyValgren looking forward to working with Geraint Thomas
Valgren has described the opportunity to join Netcompany INEOS as something he had wanted throughout his career.
In the team’s announcement, he said the move was a dream come true and expressed enthusiasm about working within an organisation known for its detailed approach to preparation and performance.
He also highlighted the opportunity to work with Geraint Thomas, who moved into the director of racing position after retiring from competition in 2025.
Thomas now plays an important role in recruitment, rider development and shaping the team’s racing approach.
For Valgren, the relationship presents an opportunity to contribute beyond his own results.
He wants to help younger riders develop while bringing experience to races where the team needs an organised and reliable supporting group.
That role could be particularly useful during the Spring Classics, where positioning, communication and knowing when to commit to an attack can make the difference between finishing in the leading group and missing the decisive move.
However, the 2026 victories also make it reasonable to expect Valgren to receive opportunities to pursue results when the racing suits him.
He has shown he can still win from breakaways and handle difficult finales, giving INEOS another option in events where a traditional sprint or straightforward team-led approach may not be effective.
Netcompany INEOS continue major recruitment drive
Valgren’s arrival is part of a substantial reshaping of the British team’s roster.
Netcompany INEOS have already announced several additions for 2027, including Joe Blackmore and James Shaw.
Shaw will also arrive from EF Education–EasyPost, meaning the two riders will continue as team-mates after leaving the American organisation.
The team have also recruited Riley Sheehan from NSN Cycling, alongside Clément Champoussin, Harold Tejada and several younger riders expected to strengthen its stage-racing group.
The signings cover different areas of the squad, but Valgren’s recruitment is especially relevant to the Classics.
With Filippo Ganna, Magnus Sheffield and Ben Turner among those leaving, INEOS are losing riders who have regularly contributed to the team’s one-day racing programme.
Valgren offers a different profile to some of those departing. His strengths lie in aggressive racing over difficult terrain, particularly when repeated climbs and long distances reduce the number of contenders.
Sheehan provides another option for the Classics, while Blackmore has the potential to compete across one-day races and shorter stage races.
Bringing those riders together gives the team several ways to approach selective finishes, rather than relying on one established leader.
Valgren’s experience may also prove useful in helping the younger arrivals adjust to their new surroundings.
Two-year agreement offers fresh challenge after EF departure
The transfer will bring an end to Valgren’s six-year association with EF Education–EasyPost, an organisation that supported him through the most difficult period of his career.
His return from injury took considerably longer than either rider or team would have hoped, but the victories at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro demonstrated the value of persisting with that recovery.
At 34, Valgren is not arriving at INEOS as a developing prospect. He brings experience of winning major Classics, racing Grand Tours and helping other riders achieve results.
That combination explains why the British team have added him during a period of significant change.
The agreement runs through the end of 2028, giving Valgren two seasons to pursue further victories while contributing to the development of a younger squad.
His 2026 results have already answered the question of whether he could win again after the injuries suffered four years earlier. The next challenge will be carrying that form into a new team and finding further opportunities in the Classics and Grand Tours
