“We have to be sharp from day one” - No Chris Froome as Israel – Premier Tech announce ambitious Tour de France 2025 squad

Israel – Premier Tech have unveiled their eight-man lineup for the 2025 Tour de France, with team leadership focused squarely on stage victories rather than general classification ambitions. Notably absent is four-time Tour winner Chris Froome, who at this point looks as if he will never ride a Tour again.

“It’s simply said, yet difficult to achieve: we want to win a stage,” said Sporting Manager Steve Bauer in the official team announcement. “We’ve assembled the best team from our current healthy roster with the aim of achieving this goal.”

Bauer was clear eyed about the task ahead. In a Tour route that begins with three punchy stages before traversing much of France’s varied terrain, IPT are targeting selective opportunities across both sprint and mountain stages. “It’s a common goal for every team, and that’s where the challenge lies at the highest level of our sport,” Bauer said. “We have to be sharp from day one and, in particular, through the first 10 days, we’ll analyze how we can have a shot at nearly every stage.”

With a race strategy based on flexibility and aggression, IPT will count on a diverse group of riders who can cover everything from bunch sprints to mountainous breakaways. The final squad includes:

-            Pascal Ackermann (GER)

-            Joe Blackmore (GBR)

-            Guillaume Boivin (CAN)

-            Matîs Louvel (FRA)

-            Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ)

-            Krists Neilands (LAT)

-            Jake Stewart (GBR)

-            Michael Woods (CAN)

Ackermann, one of the team’s marquee sprinters, is looking to turn around a luckless season. “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,” he said. “There are many chances to get an opportunity for sprints this year. How great it would be to win a stage and get the yellow jersey!”

Jake Stewart and Ackermann are expected to play prominent roles in the opening trio of stages in Lille and northern France, which suit both puncheurs and fast finishers. “Ackie and Jake will be key men, backed up by a solid support group,” Bauer confirmed. “There could be a couple of potential breakaway stages before the first rest day, too.”

The inclusion of Joe Blackmore adds a youthful edge to the team’s ambitions. Blackmore, who has impressed in stage races this year, will be riding his debut Tour. “It’s an incredible opportunity,” he said. “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.”

Blackmore also hinted at his own personal goals beyond supporting Ackermann and Woods. “There are a few stages in the first week with punchy uphill finishes that I think I can be competitive in. I hope to help Pascal in the sprint stages, and Mike in the second and third weeks.”

Veteran Canadian Michael Woods will spearhead the team’s mountain aspirations. The 38-year-old has multiple Grand Tour stage wins to his name and remains one of the sport’s most explosive uphill finishers. “In the high mountains, Mike is our best climber, and he’s proven he can win Grand Tour stages,” Bauer said. “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.”

That blend of youthful energy, experienced leadership, and adaptable riders like Lutsenko and Neilands gives the team plenty of tactical options. “Our day-to-day tactics will be very important, along with how we manage the guys,” Bauer stressed. “We can’t afford to let any opportunities go.”