Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, December 10, 2022
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2022 Tour de France | 2022 Giro d'Italia
Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none. - Thomas Jefferson
Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Giro d'Italia, A Year-by-Year History of the Tour of Italy, Vol 1: 1909 - 1970 is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- Dec 10: Exact Cross Essen
Upcoming racing
- Dec 26: Gavere Cyclocross
- Dec 27: Heusden-Zolder Cyclocross
- Dec 29: Diegem Cyclocross
- Dec 30: Azencross-Loenhout
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys Cyclocross
- Jan 14 - 22: Schwalbe Classic & Tour Down Under
- Jan 22 - 29: Vuelta a San Juan
- Jan 25 - 29: Challenge Illes Balears-Volta Ciclista a Mallorca
- Jan 28 & 29: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Latest completed racing:
- Dec 4: Scheldecross Antwerp
- Nov 20: Vlaamse Druivenveldrit Overijse Cross
- Nov 5 & 6: European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 1: Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- Oct 29: Superprestige Ruddervoorde Cyclocross
- Oct 11 - 18: Tour de Langkawi
Here’s the team’s announcement:
Tour de Suisse stage winner Stevie Williams will complete Israel-Premier Tech’s 2023 rider roster having signed a last-minute deal to become the team’s 28th rider.
After an injury sidelined the 26-year-old Welsh rider in the early years of his career, Williams has bounced back to score his first wins as a professional with a stage and overall win at CRO Race in 2021 before winning stage 1 of this year’s Tour de Suisse.
Stevie Williams wins 2022 Tour of Switzerland stage one.
IPT General Manager Kjell Carlström said the team jumped at the chance to sign Williams when the opportunity arose late in the off season.
“Stevie Williams was already a rider on our radar earlier this year so when he became available, we didn’t hesitate to bring Stevie to IPT to complete the 2023 roster. We were impressed with his Tour de Suisse win this year and are sure this is just the beginning of a great career. Stevie is a punchy climber and will fit in perfectly as a rider who is capable of going for wins and also helping our most experienced team leaders. We were glad to welcome Stevie to the final days of our team camp this week before he hits the ground running in 2023,” says Carlström.
“I want to welcome Stevie Williams to the IPT family. Stevie is a talented rider, and from all reports, a terrific teammate. As such, he will fit perfectly in our team culture,” adds IPT owner Sylvan Adams.
Williams joins the team on a one-year deal and is looking forward to a new challenge with the team.
“I’m proud to be joining Israel – Premier Tech in 2023 and really happy to be part of this project. I know a lot of the guys already so it has been really easy to fit in since joining the guys at team camp. I’m really grateful for this opportunity and look forward to getting stuck into racing next year. After getting the win at the Tour de Suisse this year, I feel like my career is back on track and I hope I can continue to score some good results in IPT colors,” explains Williams.
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Alongside the signing of Williams, IPT has also re-signed Reto Hollenstein for the 2023 season in what will be his fourth year with IPT.
“Reto Hollenstein is one of our most valued teammates at IPT, always dedicating himself to the team leaders and working hard for the team so we are happy to see him stay for another year. Every team needs riders like Reto who will work selflessly for the team on all terrain,” adds Carlström.
“I’m super happy to be staying with Israel – Premier Tech for another year and happy the team has confidence in me. I feel at home in the team and look forward to another season together, helping my teammates to win races as much as possible.” says Hollenstein.
Israel – Premier Tech 2023 Rider Roster:
Sebastian Berwick
Guillaume Boivin
Simon Clarke
Itamar Einhorn
Marco Frigo
Chris Froome
Jakob Fuglsang
Derek Gee
Omer Goldstein
Ben Hermans
Reto Hollenstein
Mason Hollyman
Hugo Houle
Daryl Impey
Taj Jones
Krists Neilands
Giacomo Nizzolo
Jens Reynders
Matthew Riccitello
Guy Sagiv
Mads Würtz Schmidt
Corbin Strong
Dylan Teuns
Tom Van Asbroeck
Sep Vanmarcke
Stevie Williams
Mike Woods
Rick Zabel
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The team sent me this:
Lars Ytting Bak said yes to not only being a part of, but to create and lead, the start-up of our women’s team. Straight into the WorldTour, with highlights such as De Ronde, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and Tour of Scandinavia. Blood, sweat and tears. We’ve had it all the last couple of years. Lars has created something really good with his energy and his passion for the sport he has been part of for so many years. He is the one responsible for gathering a special group of riders across Europe; racing for Uno-X today.
Before retiring from racing. Lars Ytting Bak descends in stage 15 of the 2018 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
In his search for the 2022-setup, Lars also found someone Down Under, well known for her talent and dedicated leadership. He convinced Alexandra Greenfield to fly back home to Europe and join the project. Alex, among friends, has shown unique and exciting capabilities of getting very good things out of our "her people".
In common dialogue after two very intense years Lars has decided to move on. I am pretty sure we will continue to see he him behind the scenes in this sport, and I thank him for a good partnership, many long talks, heavy laughs and crazy stories. Thanks for taking the risk of saying yes to this start-up, and thanks for convincing Alex to join us last year. What a ride Lars, see you around.
Alex. You’re next and you’re ready.
Alexandra Greenfield is the new Head of Sports for our Women’s WorldTeam.
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