Victory number one for Israel – Premier Tech in 2025, professional win number one for Brady Gilmore.
The Australian rider continued his strong start to the season by claiming Stage 2 of the Tour du Rwanda in Musanze on Tuesday, leading home teammate Itamar Einhorn in a one-two, with Moritz Kretschy just missing out on claiming third and completing an all-IPT podium. Rotem Tene finished ninth to further underline IPT’s domination on the day.
Gilmore, 23, finished fourth in the Australian Nationals in January before placing fifth in Monday’s opening road stage. Having previously shown his potential during his time as stagiaire with the team (2023) and a late-season spell with the IPT Academy in 2024, this victory marks a coming of age for the rider from Perth.
“It was awesome,” he said. “I was last man for Itamar, and I went with about 500 meters to go. It was a super fast finish and I ended up winning.”
Victory moved Gilmore up to sixth overall, just six seconds off the yellow jersey, with Kretschy three seconds further back in eighth place going into Wednesday’s third stage from Muszane to Rubavu.
Ruben Plaza, IPT Sports Director, adds: “We can be very satisfied with the team’s performance today. It’s not every day that you have your team finishing with a victory, second, fourth, and ninth.
“We supported each other on the climbs today and showed our strength once again after missing the victory by millimeters yesterday. Tomorrow, we have a tough test ahead, so we have our work cut out for us.”
IPT’s love affair with the Tour du Rwanda continues to blossom; Gilmore’s win follows on from four in last year’s edition – split evenly between Einhorn and Joe Blackmore, with the latter also claiming the overall victory.
Despite the dominant result, this was a far from straightforward stage. The inclusion of a category 1 climb at Buranga just after the half-distance point predictably split the peloton, before more riders were dropped on a less severe ascent at Kinigi in the closing 20 kilometers.
Nonetheless, on the fast approach to the finish, IPT’s riders delivered a tactical masterclass. Gilmore then completed the job in front of a large and noisy crowd.
“This victory means everything to me,” he adds. “I’ve been trying for a few years now – I’ve come close a number of times and I’ve put everything into cycling. I’ve moved across the world to do it, I’ve put my heart and soul into it, and I’ve sacrificed everything for it.
“I can’t really describe it, that feeling when it all comes together. Even though I wasn’t thinking I was going to win today because I was doing a leadout, I guess it happens when you least expect it. My phone has been going crazy – when I was in the doping control the guy had to chuck it on the bed as it kept on going ‘ding, ding, ding’ and it was annoying him!
“I’m looking forward to the rest of the week – hopefully we can continue the momentum from the opening few days.”
Photo: Tour du Rwanda
