Derek Gee set to target the General Classification at the Giro d’Italia
Stevie Williams returns to Santos Tour Down Under eyeing back-to-back wins
IPT looking to score first Monument podium and more WorldTour GC success
Minor changes to the 2025 race kit sees IPT retain core look
On the back of celebrating the team’s 10th and best season to date in 2024, Israel – Premier Tech today revealed the racing kit and the team’s ambitious objectives for the upcoming season.
Having spent the last nine days together in Girona, Spain, for the first pre-season training camp, General Manager Kjell Carlström praised the team’s cohesion and motivation ahead of the first race of the season.
Our 2025 roster is our most exciting to date and having recorded our best season ever this year, we are more motivated than ever,” explains Carlström. “That begins in January when Stevie Williams will look to defend his Santos Tour Down Under title, which is the race that was the catalyst for our success this year, and Corbin Strong targeting the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
“When the European racing season kicks off, we have an ambitious target list including our first Monument podium, which we are yet to achieve, as well as repeating our success in the Ardennes Classics, and adding more WorldTour stage race GC success to the team’s palmarès with races such as Tirreno Adriatico a key objective for us.
“On the Grand Tour front, Derek Gee will focus on the Giro d’Italia so we are excited to see him return to the race that really kickstarted his career last year. Having raced to a top-ten result in his maiden Tour de France this year, he will once again target the General Classification as he continues his development as a GC rider. This means our Tour de France will be more stage-hunting focused as we look to add to our three previous stage wins.”
Gee was the undisputed hero of the Giro last year, racing into the hearts of cycling fans around the world with his tenacious performance which saw him finish in second place on four occasions. Unsurprisingly, Gee is looking forward to returning to the race under the guidance of newly promoted Head Sports Director Sam Bewley.
“It’s incredibly special to return to the Giro d’Italia,” says the Canadian. “That’s where I got my first taste of Grand Tours and I remember how passionate the crowds were. Although I’m coming back in a different capacity than what I raced it in 2023, I’m looking forward to it just as much.
“I think there is definitely a little more pressure and I’ve set my own expectations higher than I have going into Grand Tours in the past but, at the same time, that’s incredibly motivating. Having the process goals of doing a full build up for the General Classification with all eyes on finishing as high as possible in Rome is really special.”
Israel – Premier Tech’s 2025 racing kit, produced by Ekoï and designed by Élie Desgreniers of Premier Tech, sees the team retain its core 2024 look while introducing changes to the pattern and color blocks at the bottom of the jersey.
“We wanted to retain our 2024 look moving forward so instead of a radical change, we have opted to introduce more light blue to the bottom of the jersey, as well as a change to the pattern,” adds Carlström.
“Blue and white have long been our core colors, representing the Israeli flag and Premier Tech’s signature color so our two-tone sleeves and a now fully white monogram on the back of the jersey will help us to stand out in the peloton, especially in the sea of blue that we often see.”
