Evolution over revolution is the focus for the Israel – Premier Tech Academy going into 2025 as it looks to build on a season in which two more riders – Joe Blackmore and Pier-André Côté – graduated up to its ProTeam.

Fourteen riders on the 20-man roster have been retained for 2025, including Giro Next Gen podium finisher Pau Martí Soriano (below) and Israeli national champions Imry Faingezicht (time trial) and Matar Peretz (road).

The six new signings for 2025 are reigning Israeli and Irish road race champions Roei Edinger (18) and Patrick Casey (18), highly-rated British time trial specialist Finlay Tarling (18), Jens Verbrugghe (20, Belgium), Samuel Coleman (18, Ireland), and Euan Woodliffe (20, Britain).

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to attract in-demand riders,” says Academy Manager Tim Elverson. “I think most of the reasoning behind that is the opportunity for progression: riders want to win bike races, and they want to know they can step up to a good professional team, and I think we’ve proven that, with Joe being the best example in 2024.

“They’ve chosen to come to us as they decided that we were the best option for them and their future. It’s really nice to get the team into this position going into 2025.”

Progression pathways weren’t just on offer for Blackmore and Côté: of those returning riders, 10 stepped up at least once last season to ride with IPT’s ProTeam in 2024.

“We want nothing more than to see one of our riders excel and get them into the ProTeam as quickly as possible,” Elverson adds. “We did that with Joe and that’s not a one-off opportunity. It’s not all talk: we have a process, we have a performance-driven attitude.”

The arrival of Edinger is a reminder of one of the Academy’s core values: the development of the next generation of Israeli riders. “He’s here on merit,” says Elverson. “Obviously we have one eye on emerging Israeli riders as we want to see them flourish and come through. Roei fits this: he has proven himself in the juniors, getting results in top European races. His determination shines through.”

Elverson describes Casey and Coleman, the two Irish signings, as riders “who like a tough day out”. He adds: “Patrick is a really intelligent rider, he’s good at sniffing opportunities out. Sam can climb well – he’s really strong. We’ll work with them alongside the Irish Federation, which will strengthen their camaraderie.”

Tarling’s signing with the Academy was previously unveiled in May; since then he has finished on the podium in both the junior British time trial and road race championships. “Time trialling is his passion; it’s also an area in which the team is really keen to improve,” says Elverson. “He’s also got an eye on Classics racing, and that’s a big area in which we can work together.”

Verbrugghe and Woodliffe complete the new arrivals, with Elverson confident they’ll thrive in their new environment. He says: “I’ve been talking with Jens for a long time: he was a very strong talent as a junior and I think if we can get the coaching right he can become a very good rider in those grippy one-day races. Euan has had some bad luck this season, but he’s fit and healthy now. I think the project we have for him will be good for him.”

Australian rider Brady Gilmore (23, above), who joined the Academy in September, also returns for his first full season in the team.

Elverson adds: “He’s really exciting. He came to cycling late so he’s green, but he’s got a great engine. This year we’ll be looking to develop his race craft, getting him used to as many different scenarios as possible, and allowing him to use his engine as best he can.”

The team’s racing program will largely replicate its schedule from 2024, with a handful of additional stage races added. “We’d like to go back to those races we performed well in and see if we can repeat that success, especially with alternate riders,” Elverson says.

Israel – Premier Tech Academy in 2025: Dylan Bibic (CAN), Patrick Casey (IRL), Samuel Coleman (IRL), Roei Edinger (ISR), Imry Faingezicht (ISR), Alvaro Garcia (ESP), Brady Gilmore (AUS), Moritz Kretschy (GER), Karl Kurtis (EST), Daniel Lima (POR), Pau Martí Soriano (ESP), Viggo Moore (USA), Matar Peretz (ISR), Finlay Tarling (GBR), Rotem Tene (ISR), Luke Valenti (CAN), Floris Van Tricht (BEL), Jens Verbrugghe (BEL), Kiaan Watts (NZL), Euan Woodliffe (GBR)