Eliud Kipchoge and Ineos Grenadiers launch cycling academy in Kenya

Cycling team Ineos Grenadiers have joined forces with marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge to launch a cycling academy in Kenya.

Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the company wanted to help Africa’s “exciting sporting talent, passion and ambition” reach its potential.

Kipchoge added it was a “natural fit”.

“I’m proud that we are expanding our Kaptagat based training camp from a purely athletics focussed training camp towards a wider kind of sports academy,” said the double Olympic champion.

“The Ineos Eliud Kipchoge Cycling Academy is a very natural fit with great potential to enable our young talented cyclists to make the next steps towards the top level of cycling.”

The academy’s launch comes just a month after Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay made history as the first black African winner of a Grand Tour stage at the Giro d’Italia.

“This is a significant and exciting development in world cycling – it has the power to drive lasting change by developing new riders from Africa,” added Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford.

“We all know the talent is there – we’ve seen it this year with Biniam Girmay’s history-making successes at the Giro d’Italia and Gent-Wevelgem, and I saw it first-hand in the inspiring young athletes I met in Kaptagat.

“Their passion, dedication and love of sport is a perfect fit with the Ineos Grenadiers’ spirit of giving it all to race and be your best. Together I believe we can achieve something unique and important for cycling in Kenya, Africa and the sport itself.”