'Jhonatan Narváez changes his mind and does not sign for Netcompany INEOS'

Everything pointed to Jhonatan Narváez leaving UAE Emirates XRG at the end of this season for a return to his old team, Netcompany INEOS, but the Ecuadorian will not be leaving the squad after all. This was reported by Daniel Benson.

The usually well-informed cycling journalist stated on his Substack that Narváez has decided to extend his contract with his current employer. The three-time stage winner in the recent Giro d'Italia has already reached an agreement on a new three-year contract.

Narváez had been strongly linked with Netcompany INEOS in recent months. The deal even seemed all but done, but it will not go through. For the British team, this is a major setback, as they saw Narváez as an additional leader for climbing and classics duties.

The 29-year-old Narváez rode for (then) INEOS Grenadiers from 2019 through 2024 and truly broke through while with the British formation. After six seasons, he decided to move to UAE Emirates XRG, which has brought him significant success.

Riding for the wealthy UAE Emirates, he achieved even greater success, with overall victory in the Tour Down Under and three stage wins in the recent Giro d'Italia as his main highlights. Narváez also impressed last year in the Tour de France as a lieutenant for overall winner Tadej Pogacar. The Ecuadorian often proved to be the strongest rider on the climbs in support of the Slovenian.