Steve Cummings appeared set to make a return to working as a directeur sportif (DS) on the bottom for Ineos Grenadiers on the Tour of Britain Males this week, however was changed simply earlier than the race started, by Tom Pidcock’s coach, Kurt Bogaerts.
Cummings has not been bodily current at races for the staff since he was seen on the Critérium du Dauphiné in early June. Regardless of being promoted to director of racing in December final yr, he was additionally not noted of the staff’s on the bottom race administration group for all three Grand Excursions this yr, together with the Tour de France.
Cummings was listed as DS for the Tour of Britain on the preliminary begin listing, however was eliminated on Monday. He was additionally listed as DS for August’s Deutschland Tour, however he was later eliminated.
On the Tour of Britain Males, Cummings has been changed by fellow Ineos DS, and Tom Pidcock’s private coach, Kurt Bogaerts. The Belgian former professional is working alongside Ian Stannard as one of many staff’s sports activities administrators this week.
Tom Pidcock’s presence within the Ineos Grenadiers staff choice has made the British registered squad one of many two favourites for general victory on the six day stage race. Pidcock’s tense relationship with Cummings was notable within the second sequence of the Tour de France:Unchained documentary on Netflix.
Pidcock was current on the Tour in July, and prompt that he felt Cummings shock absence from the staff would haven’t any adverse influence on their technique for the race.
“I don’t suppose it’ll have an effect,” Pidcock mentioned. “Issues change, it’s probably not for me to remark.”
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In the course of the Tour, Ineos insisted that Cummings was supporting the staff’s DS group remotely.
“Steve’s nonetheless engaged on the Tour, he’s simply not on the Tour,” staff CEO John Allert mentioned on the time. “He’s feeding stuff in, he’s a part of a staff, we’ve received a staff of coaches and DSs and he’s clearly an vital a part of that.”
Cummings (left) at Paris-Good earlier this yr
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Nevertheless, the staff’s lead sports activities director on the bottom, Zak Dempster, mentioned that he felt it will it will be difficult for the previous professional to be concerned in choices remotely.
“I feel that’s not possible,” Dempster mentioned. “For the second I’m the lead DS right here and it’ll be me managing the race on behalf of the efficiency staff.”
Talking after the primary stage of the Tour of Britain in Kelso, Ian Stannard informed journalist Daniel Benson’s Substack web page that Cummings was supporting remotely as soon as once more.
Stannard additionally prompt that the Ineos DS group had continued to bear main overhaul which has inadvertently meant that Cummings position on the staff is altering.
“A provisional begin listing adjustments on a regular basis, similar to the riders,” Stannard mentioned. “Steve’s supporting from residence.”
“He’s the director of racing, he’s sorting stuff out for the staff,” Stannard added. “He’s engaged on the race programme for subsequent yr, the signings, the planning and stuff like that.”
