Israel – Premier Tech’s 2023 racing calendar will officially kick off this week at the Santos Tour Down Under where the team will rely on its experience to secure a strong start to the season.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, two-time Tour Down Under winner Daryl Impey, and Tour de France stage winner and runner up at this year’s Australian National Championship road race Simon Clarke will return to the WorldTour stage race, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.
IPT’s newest Sports Director Sam Bewley will make his debut in Adelaide and says the changes to the race route, with the inclusion of a five-kilometer prologue and the final showdown on Mount Lofty, will make for an exciting race.
“It’s great to be back in Adelaide for the Santos Tour Down Under and we are happy to see the race return to the international cycling calendar, especially with some exciting changes to the race route. We have a strong team with the likes of two-time winner Daryl Impey and Tour de France stage winner Simon Clarke providing a wealth of experience and it’s a big deal to see Chris Froome return to the race for just the second time in his career so no doubt the Aussie fans will be cheering him on,” says Bewley.
“Alongside Froome, Impey, and Clarke, we have Kiwi rider Corbin Strong, who had such a strong debut with IPT in 2022. It may be Corbin’s first time at TDU but this is a race that is perfect for a rider like him so we are looking forward to seeing what he can do. Our young Aussies Taj Jones and Sebastian Berwick are also set to make their debut here in Adelaide but they are motivated for a great race on home soil, as is Canadian Derek Gee who will provide key support on the road and is a rider to watch in the prologue.”
Fans have been waiting a long time for Froome to return to Adelaide since his first and only participation in 2010, and the winner of all three Grand Tours is delighted to be back.
“I’m really excited to be returning to Adelaide for the Santos Tour Down Under for only the second time in my career. The race has changed a lot since I was there in 2010, getting bigger and better each year, to now be one of the most important races on the cycling calendar. I know the Aussie fans are some of the best in the world so I can’t wait to be back on their home soil and have them cheer us on. We have a strong team and I think we can hit the ground running with some great results at TDU,” adds Froome.
As the only rider to ever win the race consecutively in 2018 and 2019, Daryl Impey is a household name in Adelaide. Impey is relishing the opportunity to take on a different role at this year’s TDU in what will be his final year of racing.
“The Santos Tour Down Under is always a race I get excited for and a place I love to race. I appreciate how the fans have cheered and supported me every time I race there. Although we received a late invite, I am still hoping to do my best out there and hopefully I can support Corbin Strong and the rest of the team deep into the finals. My role will be slightly different to previous years but I am motivated and I am hoping to give the best of what I have when we kick off the 2023 season in Adelaide,” says Impey.
The racing action gets underway on Saturday at the Schwalbe Classic criterium before the stage race kicks off on Tuesday 17 January with the race’s first ever time trial.
Israel – Premier Tech at the Santos Tour Down Under
Riders: Sebastian Berwick (AUS), Simon Clarke (AUS), Chris Froome (UK), Derek Gee (CAN), Daryl Impey (RSA), Taj Jones (AUS), Corbin Strong (NZ)
Sports Director: Sam Bewley
