The winter of discontent is over for Steve Cummings. His beloved soccer group Liverpool are runaway leaders of the Premier League and he finds himself in a brand new function as sports activities director with WorldTour group Jayco-AlUla after a controversial exit from Ineos Grenadiers.
His final race for the British group was June’s Critérium du Dauphiné because the Director of Racing unexpectedly didn’t seem on the Tour de France. Sources near the state of affairs informed Biking Weekly at the moment that his absence was partly resulting from his obvious fractured relationship with group chief Tom Pidcock. Pidcock mentioned on the race’s group presentation that he felt Ineos could be “higher” with out Cummings there.
“On a private degree, I by no means had an issue [with him] and haven’t bought one,” he informed Biking Weekly at his new squad’s media day final Monday. “It’s fairly stunning, all of the stuff that was written. It’s all smoke actually. What was on Netflix, that was it. There was by no means anything,” Cummings mentioned, referring to the most recent Tour de France: Unchained documentary sequence. It features a scene the place Cummings tells Pidcock he should commit for Carlos Rodriguez. The Briton says he’s not certain he agrees earlier than asking the cameras to be turned off.
“The group determined to take me off the race. Like whenever you’re not chosen as a rider, it’s only a determination you respect,” he mentioned. “I assume they thought it was in the very best curiosity of the group. And then you definately begin to look elsewhere.”
Having posted on LinkedIn in November asserting his determination to step away, this was the primary time Cummings publicly addressed the saga because it unfolded.
Cummings mentioned that the group “didn’t actually give him a cause” for his omission. Was that irritating? “I feel there areobviously moments when it’s irritating, however you simply attempt to be resilient, settle for it and transfer on,” he mentioned.
Ineos workers had insisted that Cummings’ absence from post-Tour races was of little significance and recommended that he was making ready for the brand new season. The person himself didn’t consider it spelled the top of his time there both: “I simply thought I’d proceed with the group. It wasn’t till form of October, then I made a decision [it was] higher to alter.”
It was a controversial conclusion to Cummings’ four-year stint with Ineos Grenadiers, having joined as a growth sports activities director in 2021. “I felt it was a large alternative for me. Then there was lots of change within the group, typically,” Cummings says. He rose by means of the managerial ranks shortly and was lead sports activities director for the 2022 and 2023 Excursions de France.
“G[eraint] did third behind Vingegaard and Pogačar, Tom Pidcock gained a stage [on Alpe d’Huez] which was most likely probably the most lovely stage win of the Tour. Then the following 12 months, the group gained two levels and Carlos [Rodríguez] was fifth, combating for the rostrum till the final days when he crashed. That was phenomenal in his first Tour.
“I’m simply grateful to all of the riders, workers and everybody who helped us obtain [that]. In my view, with all the knowledge I had, we maximised the group.”
Cummings had identified Jayco-AlUla director of excessive efficiency and racing Matt White since their racing days as Discovery Channel team-mates in 2007. Contact on a private degree to test in with him developed right into a job supply. Cummings is aware of a number of of the group’s riders properly, together with his former Ineos cost Luke Plapp and new chief Ben O’Connor, who was a younger professional at Workforce Dimension Information whereas the Briton was within the closing years of his profession there.
The Australian led the 2024 Vuelta a España for a fortnight, ending second and putting fourth on the Giro d’Italia. “Arguably, exterior of grand tour winners, you’d say he’s the following greatest stage race rider constantly throughout the season. I’m wanting ahead to working with him,” Cummings mentioned.
Cummings will hope to have the identical seismic affect behind the scenes as new Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot. Regardless of the future holds, he’s blissful to be again within the group automobile, doing what he loves.
“I’ve had lots of time at house with the household, time to mirror and recharge. Now I’m prepared and excited to get going once more,” he mentioned.
