After brand change, Israel - Premier Tech renews several key riders

Israel - Premier Tech has had difficulties signing and renewing its riders this transfer season due to the team's head-to-heads with intense protests, however after the news broke that Sylvan Adams will move away from the team and so will the Israel sponsorship, several moves have gotten going and have been confirmed this Friday morning.

The soon-to-be Canadian team has renewed with George Bennett, Hugo Hofstetter, Nick Schultz and Guillaume Boivin officially. Four riders announced all at once, making for an important block of firepower into the 2026 season where the team is moving back up to World Tour level.

Despite losing Matthew Riccitello and also Derek Gee who has revealed he is facing a million-dollar lawsuit against the team after a termination of contract, the team is heavily rumoured to have reached a deal with Biniam Girmay.

However nothing is certain and in mid October there are only so many transfers that can still be done, and the team is prioritizing the riders it currently has and securing theirs and its own future.

George Bennett: “I’m really happy to be continuing with the team. It’s a very special environment and a great group of people to be involved with. They have shown me a lot of support on and off the bike in what’s been a tough year and we have a lot of ambition to continue to evolve into one of the best teams in the world, so I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Guillaume Boivin: “I’m very happy and grateful to be staying with the team for another year. Next year will be 11th year with the team and even though I’ve been doing this for a while now, I’m very excited about the challenges ahead. Next year will also be a big year with the UCI Road World Championships in my hometown of Montreal. It would be a dream to be there competing next September.”

Hugo Hofstetter: “It was a really good start to the season for me this year and the team gave put a lot of trust in me as a protected rider. I’m really appreciative of this and, of course, I’m really happy to re-sign with them. After some good results, for example in Kuurne – Brussels – Kuurne and Gent – Wevelgem, I wanted to stay and we quickly agreed to an extension. After four years in the team, I feel very at home here but I still have some big goals to come, including the French Championships in two years which will be in my hometown so this is probably going to be one of the most important races of my career.”

Nick Schultz: “I’ve been with the team now for three seasons and throughout those years I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I’ve been a part of many successful races with the team, but it’s not the results, it’s the people that make it so special for me. From the staff to the riders, I think we’re incredibly lucky to be in the environment we are in. Being able to extend this journey for another three years means a great deal to me and I’m grateful to the team for having the confidence in me to offer that opportunity, especially during what was a difficult first half of the year plagued by injury. Going forward, I hope to continue my role as a key domestique for our big leaders and be as reliable as possible every time I put a number on. I know that with our amazing performance staff I’ll be given a platform to always keep improving and if I can do that, each year will be a success.”