'It's a crazy race' - Michael Woods leads Israel Premier Tech at Tour de France

The squad features Canadian climber Michael Woods, German sprinter Pascal Ackermann, and a 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné stage winner, Jake Stewart, as key riders in the hunt for the team's first Tour stage win since 2023. 

There is also a debut for 2024 Tour de l'Avenir winner Joe Blackmore. As expected, there is no spot for four-time Tour champion Chris Froome.

"It's simply said, yet difficult to achieve: we want to win a stage. We've assembled the best team from our current healthy roster with the aim of achieving this goal," sporting manager Steve Bauer said in a statement on Friday. "It's a common goal for every team, and that's where the challenge lies at the highest level of our sport. We have to be sharp from day one and, in particular, through the first 10 days, we'll analyse how we can have a shot at nearly every stage, because we can't afford to let any opportunities go."

The team's line-up is completed by Alexey Lutsenko, who arrived from Astana ahead of this season. Rounding out the team are Guillaume Boivin, Krists Neilands and Matîs Louvel.

Michael Woods returns to the race after missing out on the 2024 edition and comes into the Tour two years on after his impressive victory on Puy de Dôme and remains the last IPT rider to win a Grand Tour stage following his success at last year's Vuelta a España.

"I'm really excited about racing my fifth Tour. It's a crazy race and it's the last race on the calendar that I do that scares me, in a good way, but it's such a challenging race," says Woods. "Winning a stage there in 2023 was the crowning achievement of my career. Given the level of excitement around that win and the support I've received since I achieved it, I can say it changed my life."

Bauer has identified specific roles for his riders across different terrain: "In the high mountains, Mike [Woods] is our best climber, and he's proven he can win Grand Tour stages. We'll look to keep him out of trouble in the first few days, and then we'll utilize his strengths as we go forward."

Ackermann, who has five Grand Tour stage wins to his name but none at the Tour, is targeting sprint opportunities after taking his first victory of the 2025 season at the Classique Dunkerque in May.

"I am really excited to be at the start of the Tour, especially after the season so far – I've had a lot of bad luck this year, so now it's time to get back to the sunny times and fight for a stage victory," said Ackermann. "How great it would be to win a stage and get the yellow jersey!"

Israel Premier Tech’s sole Tour newcomer is 22-year-old Jospeh Blackmore, who won last year's Tour de l'Avenir and has impressed in his first full season with the team's ProTeam.

"It's an incredible opportunity," said Blackmore. "It's going to be special with the Grand Départ being so close to home – my parents, grandfather, girlfriend, and friends will be watching roadside for the first few days, which is really cool."

The selection marks a shift in strategy for Israel-Premier Tech after targeting the general classification at May's Giro d'Italia, where Derek Gee recorded the team's best-ever result, a 4th placed finish in the general classification standings.

• Michael Woods (CAN)
• Guillaume Boivin (CAN)
• Pascal Ackermann (GER)
• Joseph Blackmore (GBR)
• Jake Stewart (GBR)
• Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ)
• Matis Louvel (FRA)
• Krists Neilands (LVA)