“I spoke to Caleb a lot. Once he found out I was in talks with Ineos, he was really pushing for it and he was giving me his insights – how much they did for him in that short time he was there,” Welsford said.
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“Also for him, his experience there was super-positive. He said the level of support he had there was incredible.
“He was pretty keen to have me there. He sees it as a really good fit.
“Caleb is a rider I really trust and he’s been through a lot. To be able to pick his brains was amazing … I look up to Caleb and we get along really well.”
With the contract confirmed, Welsford is determined to realise his undoubted potential. A big European goal this year will be to go for sprint stage wins at a Grand Tour, with the Giro d’Italia in his sights.
“It’s been a tough year, last year, with all the injuries and bad luck. But the Ineos signing was at the end of the rainbow,” he said.
“I’ve been really happy to get stuck in there, be welcomed with open arms.
“I want to be the best I can be as an athlete, more consistency across Europe. I want to win a lot more in Europe.
“I also want to go to a Grand Tour and compete for wins there. I’d love to go to the Giro – it sounds amazing.”
The first elite events at the nationals will be the Thursday afternoon time trials, with Brodie Chapman the strong favourite to defend her women’s crown.
Her big threat is emerging rider Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, the 2023 junior world champion.
Luke Plapp is going for his third men’s time trial championship in a row and the fourth in total.
Jay Vine, who won in 2023, looms as Plapp’s main rival and fellow WorldTour star Ben O’Connor is also in the field.
Two of Welsford’s 2024 Olympics gold-medal winning teammates, Oliver Bleddyn and Kelland O’Brien, will compete as well.