'Hard not to feel like I've let a lot of people down' – latest setback to 2026 season sees Oscar Onley leave Tour de Romandie with illness

Oscar Onley’s 2026 season with Ineos Grenadiers has suffered another blow as the young British rider was forced to abandon the Tour de Romandie due to illness. Onley, who had already struggled with a stomach bug in the early stages of the race, withdrew after stage one, which was won by Tadej Pogačar. The 23-year-old expressed his disappointment on social media, acknowledging the difficult start to the year and the pressure he feels after the support and investment from his team. Onley’s season began promisingly with a strong performance at the Volta ao Algarve, where he finished fourth overall and secured a second place on the final stage. However, his campaign has been repeatedly interrupted by illness, including a forced withdrawal from Paris-Nice while he was in a top-10 position. Despite these setbacks, he showed resilience by returning to compete in the Volta a Catalunya, finishing 12th in Barcelona before heading to Romandie. Ineos Grenadiers will now rely on Spaniard Carlos Rodríguez to deliver results at the Tour de Romandie, where he currently sits eighth overall, trailing Pogačar by 41 seconds. The team has nonetheless enjoyed a strong start to the season, with 17 wins from eight different riders, including new signing Dorian Godon, who has already claimed four victories. The squad is preparing for the Giro d’Italia, their first Grand Tour under the new Netcompany-Ineos banner, with Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman leading the charge. Looking ahead, Onley is set to compete at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in June as part of his build-up to a second Tour de France campaign in July. While his recent health issues have hampered his progress, the young rider remains focused on returning to form and contributing to Ineos’s ambitions. His early struggles highlight the unpredictable nature of professional cycling, where talent must often be matched by resilience in the face of adversity.