Israel – Premier Tech returns to La Vuelta a España for the first time since 2022 with a strong roster targeting multiple objectives at the third Grand Tour of the season.

With this year’s edition featuring a heavy climbing focus, IPT has assembled a versatile team with the perfect balance of youth and experience with Mike Woods, George Bennett, and Dylan Teuns bringing a wealth of Grand Tour expertise to the team. Matthew Riccitello is set to line up at his second Grand Tour off the back of a top-five at the Tour de Suisse, meanwhile Marco Frigo, Nadav Raisberg, and Grand Tour debutant Riley Sheehan complement the team as rouleurs, while Corbin Strong gives IPT a sprint card to play.

“We are approaching the Vuelta a España almost as two races,” explains Sports Director Oscar Guerrero. “In the first nine days, we will protect Mike Woods, George Bennett, and Matthew Riccitello in the General Classification and see where things stand, especially after the first mountain finish on stage 4 and then after stage 9, which will be very hard. We also have multiple sprint opportunities for Corbin Strong in the first week so we will help him as much as possible to put him in the position to win because after the first rest day there are no more sprints.

“After the first rest day we will have the real picture and can assess our strategy and objectives. We know that the last two weeks present many breakaway opportunities for all our riders, especially Dylan Teuns, Marco Frigo, Riley Sheehan, and Nadav Raisberg, as well as our GC trio so we will have many cards to play in the second half of the race.”

Racing will get underway with three stages in Portugal, with a fast and flat 12-kilometer time trial in Lisbon on stage one, before entering Spanish terrain on stage four for the first of nine summit finishes on offer.

After crashing out of the Giro d’Italia on stage five, alongside Nadav Raisberg who will hit reset on his Grand Tour debut, Mike Woods is motivated to return to the race where he has previously won two stages, in 2018 and 2020.

“I’m really excited to be doing the Vuelta a España especially given all of the health issues I’ve had this season,” adds Woods. “I went into the Giro d’Italia with a lot of uncertainty, poor fitness, and ultimately, a stomach infection I didn’t know I had. Now, having had some nice performances in winning the Canadian national championships and riding well in San Sebastián and even being in the mix at one point in the Olympics, I have some confidence going into this race. With that confidence, it’s made me a lot more excited and having been so sick, I’m not taking this good form for granted. I’m also really excited to be riding with the crew that we have, it’s a really strong team and a great group of guys. We’re going to have a fun time.”

While George Bennett is set to line up at his first Grand Tour in IPT colors, he’s no stranger to the Vuelta a España with seven participations to his name.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to racing a Grand Tour,” Bennett says. “I don’t love the short steep finishes but there a few stages with longer climbs I’m looking forward to. I don’t really know how the form will be after sitting out most of the summer but I’m optimistic that with the team we have going that we can really make an impact on the race. We have a nice mix of young and more experienced riders and with a few Vueltas under my belt, I know what we are in for in the next three weeks.”

2023 Paris – Tours winner Riley Sheehan is set to make his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España and the 24-year-old American couldn’t be more excited.

“Having the opportunity to start the Vuelta a España as a first-year pro is hard to believe but I couldn’t be more excited for the challenge,” says Sheehan. “The team that we’ll have is an awesome group and it will be a pleasure to race and learn with everyone. Personally, I have my eye on a few stages but, ultimately, I really want to get a Grand Tour in the legs and show my versatility as a rider.”

IPT at La Vuelta a España (17 August – 8 September)

Riders: George Bennett (NZL), Marco Frigo (ITA), Nadav Raisberg (ISR), Matthew Riccitello (USA), Riley Sheehan (USA), Corbin Strong (NZL), Dylan Teuns (BEL), Mike Woods (CAN)

Sports Directors: Oscar Guerrero (ESP), Sep Vanmarcke (BEL), Patrick McCarty (USA)