Premier Tech will look to address unfinished business when the 107th Giro d'Italia kicks off this Saturday in Turin, Israel.
In an exciting race in 2023, the young riders on Canadian Derek Gee's team upped the ante every day, finishing in the top five nine times. IPT is determined to secure the stage victory that they missed out on in the second race. Last year's team.
“Last year's Giro d'Italia was a turning point for Israeli Premier Tech.” Sports Director Rene Andre says: “We may not have won a stage, but the team's run was nothing short of impressive and coming so close to winning so many times has made us even hungrier this year. We have a good team and will aim for another stage victory.”
While last year's Giro hero Derek Gee, who won the hearts of cycling fans around the world with his four 2nd place finishes, will focus on other goals this year, IPT has assembled a dynamic and versatile team aiming for stage wins. . 3 weeks.
Andre added: “The experience of these people is mike woods, simon clarkeand nick schultz will help and I think all three riders can win the stage. Marco Frigo With the added motivation of racing on home ground, we Hugo Hofstetter While participating in his first Giro d'Italia, Riley Pickrell, Nadav Reisbergand ethan vernon He will line up for his first Grand Tour.
“Ethan, Hugo and Riley have given us multiple cards to play in the sprint stages and I really think we have a team that can win on all terrain. I’m excited to race and want to race as aggressively as I did last year.”
After a sensational victory, Last year's Tour de FranceWoods returns to the Giro d'Italia for the first time in six years, aiming for his third consecutive Grand Tour stage victory.
“It’s been six years since I’ve competed in the Giro and I’m really excited to be competing again.” Mr Woods explains: “I had a tough start to the season with some illnesses, but I feel like I’ve finally gotten over those issues and it’s time for one of the coolest races on the calendar to begin.
“My big ambition for the race is stage hunting. Especially since I have been ill in recent months, I will aim for a modest start and look for stages as the race progresses. So early Hopefully I can find some form there and be aggressive after that and get a stage win by the end of the race.”
Ethan Vernon (pictured above), one of the IPT's trio of Grand Tour debutants, is taking the Giro d'Italia as a learning experience, but has already opened his account for 2024. Stage win at Tour des Alpes MaritimesVernon is keen to test his legs in sprints.
“I'm really excited about my first Grand Tour.” says Vernon. “I think this will be a really good learning experience for the future. Being able to ask questions alongside experienced players like Simon Clarke and Mike Woods will be really valuable.
“Personally, I want to use this as a big training block for the Olympics and as an opportunity to gain experience. I’m excited to be joining Hugo and Riley in the sprints. I like the way they look. There are some sprint stages and a couple of time trials. The type of training I've been doing lately should suit them.”
IPT has had a special relationship with the first Grand Tour of the season since hosting the team's first Giro d'Italia at Israel's historic Grande Partenza in 2018. Among them are Alex Dowsett in 2020 and Dan Martin in 2021; Alessandro De Marchi's stint at Maria Rosa in 2021.
After the most successful start to the season in the IPT's 10-year history, with 15 wins to date, he is determined to further contribute to the team's Giro d'Italia Palmares.
IPT at Giro d’Italia (Saturday 4th May – Sunday 26th May)
rider: Simon Clarke (Australia), Marco Frigo (Italy), Hugo Hostetter (France), Riley Pickrell (Canada), Nadav Reisberg (ISR), Nick Schulz (Australia), Ethan Vernon (Great Britain), Mike Woods (Canada)
Sports Director: Rene Andre (CZE), Rene Mandoli (EST), Oscar Guerrero (ESP)
