Great Britain’s Tom Pidcock is to leave the Ineos Grenadiers team at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has been with the team since 2021 and will depart despite having signed a new five-year contract in 2022.
Pidcock retained his Olympic mountain bike title when he won gold at the Games in Paris this year.
For Ineos, he won a stage of the Tour de France in 2022, while also claiming victory in the prestigious Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold Race one-day classics.
However, he failed to win a stage at this year’s Tour de France and there was speculation over the rider’s relationship with the team’s management.
In October, Piddock said he had been “deselected” for the Giro di Lombardia “just as things were on the up after a turbulent end to the year”.
“So many amazing memories that will stick with me for a lifetime,” said Pidcock following the announcement of his exit.
“I can’t thank enough all the hard-working people in the team who brought so much and helped me achieve my dreams – thank you Ineos Grenadiers.
“Going to miss you boys. When one door closes another opens.”
Ineos Grenadiers chief executive John Allert said: “We’re really proud of the work we’ve done with Tom to help him achieve some extraordinary and memorable moments.
“Together we’ve written a powerful chapter and shown how exciting and diverse professional cycling can be.
“Tom has some big multi-disciplinary goals and we believe this decision enables both of us to pursue our future ambitions with clarity, purpose and determination.
“We thank Tom for the last four years and wish him the best of luck for the future.”
