Yes, spot on!!
Ineos knew what they were getting when they signed him to a big contract. He wasn't your normal road rider, but a multi discipline threat. He's won in all disciplines. So, the criticism of his salary is nonsense really, and actually reeks of 'roadie elitism'.
Yeah Ineos knew and yeah he is getting paid more than some riders with a better road palmares but I think part of the problem is he rides for two sponsors - Ineos and Red Bull. The former wants results on the road and the latter like to see him do spectacular things in the dirt.it has the air of jealously from riders not being paid as much, who feel they are better riders and deserve it more
I read a while back that there is a conflict of sponsor interest as both are involved in F1 and that's why Van Aert can ride with his helmet in road races (Jumbo sold a lot of energy drinks) and Pidcock can't.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was one of the big factors in the fallout and as far as I can remember he signed with Ineos before doing the Red Bull deal (which must be pretty lucrative in itself)