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In pursuit of excellence

In our view, sport is a collective endeavour. Working together with cities, families, coaches and mentors, we seek to empower young athletes from the outset of their careers.

By supporting permanent sports infrastructure that benefit entire communities, we wish to drive healthy and active living habits in parallel with developing young athletes.

While our involvement spans across many disciplines, cycling holds a special place in our hearts. It embodies values that resonate deep within our team — the essence of teamwork and the pursuit of excellence.

We are committed to building bridges between every level of the sport, and paving the way from early-age development teams to road cycling’s grandest stage. In this effort, we work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders and bring our input, understanding that to have a lasting impact, teamwork is paramount.

— We are committed to building bridges between every level of the sport, supporting cyclists across all tiers and paving the way from early-age development teams to road cycling’s grandest stage. —

A dynamic collaboration

At Israel – Premier Tech (IPT), each pedal stroke is fuelled by the knowhow of about a hundred experienced specialists in their own fields. Without their dedication, passion, and work ethics, our professional riders could not go out there and perform to the maximum of their abilities.

Sports directors, coaches, performance managers, nutritionists, mechanics, physicians, physical therapists, osteopaths and soigneurs transform their individual capabilities into a collective effort to enable the success of our team through the riders’ performance on roads around the world.

“There may only be one rider crossing the line first, but cycling undoubtedly remains a team sport. A rider could never win without the support of its teammates and staff members.”

 

— Steve Bauer
IPT Head Sports Director
First-ever Canadian to win a Tour de France stage

 

On course, each rider fulfills a particular role. The team leader for a specific race aims for the finish line while support riders set the pace, shielding the leader, fetching water bottles and nutrition as well as chasing down breakaways.

Sprinters, climbers, time-trialists and all-rounders play a crucial role in shaping the race strategy, while experienced road captains guide the team through the race and lead-out riders position sprinters strategically.

Together, they form a finely tuned unit, where each individual’s contribution and expertise bring the whole team closer to a win.

“You have six to eight riders working in support of the common goal at any particular race — sacrificing their own chances to put their leader in the best possible position to win.”
— Steve Bauer, IPT Head Sports Director

July 2023 — Stage 9 of the Tour de France

With particularly challenging — but very scenic — climbs, the mythic Puy-de-Dôme stage made its way back to the 2023 Tour de France after a hiatus of 35 years. When the route for the 2023 Tour was unveiled in Paris by tour organizer ASO – on October 27, 2022, rider Michael Woods put an asterisk in his agenda. He knew that it was a stage cut out for him!

In a meticulously planned strategy for that day, Canadian support rider Guillaume Boivin skillfully navigated Woods through the thick of the race, shielding him from many attacks within the peloton and setting the stage for an epic finale.

As the peloton approached the final four kilometres, the race leader maintained a significant advantage, still leading the race by a little over two minutes. Making up for this deficit in the last few kilometres, Woods caught sight of the race leader 800 metres from the finish line.

“When I saw him, I said to myself: OK, I’m capable of winning. It was an incredible moment.”
— Michael Woods, IPT rider

The road then pitched to a challenging 12% incline. Woods proceeded through a spectacular climb as he surged past the race leader and soloed to cross the finish line.

Although this win consists in an impressive display of individual strength, teamwork and strategy were at the forefront of the breathtaking achievement.

“The riders, sports directors and the whole team were instrumental. Encouraging me, keeping me positive and making sure I was at the top of my game. All those things make a great difference. This win is a product of not just an individual effort but that of a team, and winning alongside them was just perfect.”

 

Michael Woods
IPT rider

Between Michael Woods’ recognition of his team’s race-day efforts and his detailed acknowledgment of their everyday support, there is a clear understanding that effective teamwork extends far beyond the race itself.

It involves continuous preparation and support from the whole staff where everyone plays a crucial part in building toward success.

This preparation is a day-to-day process involving everyone from the chef to the mechanics, ensuring that everything from nutrition to bike performance is managed.

“There is a massive team of staff — technical, medical, media —, all working toward the goal of having a victory. What’s illustrative is how important trusting relationships and teamwork are to building a team’s capacity for winning and pushing each other to new heights.”

 

Jon Adams
IPT soigneur

“The sports directors keeping me cool, the team chef providing great food, the team nutritionist giving me great guidance, the mechanics making sure my bike was optimal, having Steve Bauer, behind just encouraging me, all those things make a great difference.”
— Michael Woods, IPT rider

These elements come together as a stitch in the tapestry of victory, meticulously woven long before the race begins. Woods’ victory is not just a testament to his physical prowess but a celebration of the sustained collective effort that propels him, and the team, across the finish line.

“I’m really proud of this victory, it is a career-defining moment for me.”


Michael Woods
IPT rider

*This story is from the Premier Tech Report 2024.