Netcompany Ineos Switches to Pirelli Tyres for 2027 Season
The professional cycling team ends a decade-long partnership with Continental for new technical collaboration.
1Strategic Partnership Shift
Netcompany Ineos will transition to Pirelli tyres starting in 2027, concluding a decade-long partnership with Continental. The British team, which originated as Sky Procycling in 2010, has utilized various manufacturers historically but maintained consistency with Continental for over ten years. This new three-year agreement marks a significant change in their technical equipment strategy.
2Focus on Technical Innovation
Director of Racing Geraint Thomas emphasized that the collaboration centers on Pirelli’s technical expertise and commitment to innovation. The partnership aims to go beyond simple equipment supply, focusing on how both parties can work together to develop performance solutions. This approach aligns with the team’s long-standing philosophy of pursuing marginal gains in racing.
3Debut and Public Display
The team is scheduled to make its racing debut on Pirelli rubber at the Santos Tour Down Under in January. Fans can get an early look at the new setup, as a bike fitted with the Pirelli tyres will be on display at the Rouleur Live event taking place this coming weekend.
4Technical Assessment and Testing
The partnership involves rigorous technical assessment, likely including comparative testing against the Continental GP 5000 S TR and TT TR models previously used. Pirelli currently supplies two other WorldTour teams, Lidl-Trek and Alpecin-Premier Tech. Netcompany Ineos is expected to utilize the P Zero Race SL-R and P Zero Race RS tyre models.
5Aerodynamic Performance Focus
Pirelli’s flagship P Zero Race SL-R tyre, launched in March, features the Pirelli Advanced Aerodynamic System technology. This system adds material to the sidewalls to enhance aerodynamic performance when mounted to a rim. Pirelli claims this design significantly improves rolling resistance and overall aero efficiency compared to their previous P Zero Race RS.
6Recent Equipment Evolution
This tyre switch follows another major equipment change earlier this year, when the team moved from Shimano Dura-Ace wheels to Scope models. It is possible that the combination of Scope wheels and Pirelli tyres has demonstrated superior speed in testing. The team continues to refine its setup to optimize performance for upcoming seasons.
7Addressing Performance Challenges
Geraint Thomas recently characterized the team’s 2026 season as disappointing, stating that purely from a results perspective, it was not good. The team hopes this equipment transition will serve as a marginal gain to help turn their performance around in 2027. They are actively seeking ways to regain their competitive edge in WorldTour.
8Future Competitive Outlook
By integrating Pirelli’s advanced tyre technology, Netcompany Ineos aims to address the technical demands of the modern WorldTour circuit. Whether this change provides the necessary boost to reverse their recent performance slump remains to be seen. The upcoming 2027 season will be the true test of this new technical partnership’s effectiveness.
Original article: Cyclingnews — Netcompany Ineos Switches to Pirelli Tyres for 2027 Season