Israel-Premier Tech heads to the Giro with a mix of experience (Woods) and youthful enthusiasm (Frigo)

The selections for the Giro d'Italia (May 4-26) continue to pour in. This time it's Israel-Premier Tech's turn, bringing a combination of youthful enthusiasm and seasoned experience.

Within the Israeli team, the highest expectations are on Michael Woods. The 37-year-old Canadian proved last year on the Puy de Dome that he's far from worn out and, unlike Wout Poels, can pursue the ultimate triple (stage wins in all three grand tours). His Australian peer Simon Clarke and compatriot Nick Schultz, one of the few who managed to snatch a stage from Tadej Pogacar in the Tour of Catalonia, are also allowed to harbor ambitions for stage victories.

"It's been six years since I've been to the Giro and I'm really excited to be back," Woods said in the press release. "I've had a tough start to the season with a period of illness, but I feel like that's finally behind me and now it's time for one of the coolest races on the calendar. Because of this, I will start off more cautiously and later in the race, I'll look to chase a stage win. That's my main goal for the Giro. Hopefully, I can build my form in the early stages and then be aggressive and win a stage towards the end of the race."

Can Marco Frigo keep his cool?

In the flat stages, Israel-Premier Tech has some aces up their sleeve. Frenchman Hugo Hofstetter is participating in the Giro for the first time, while for the Brit Ethan Vernon, the Israeli Nadav Raisberg, and the Canadian Riley Pickrell, it's even their debut in a grand tour. This season, Vernon has already celebrated a win at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes, and Hofstetter has amassed a number of top finishes in the Flemish classics.

Finally, we turn our attention to the last rider of the group of eight: Marco Frigo. Along with Canadian Derek Gee, who after a series of second places this year is not competing in Italy, the 24-year-old Italian has marked the Giro with an aggressive approach. Although he didn’t win any stages, he achieved three top-six finishes. It will be interesting to see if Frigo can maintain his composure this year to clinch his first-ever pro victory.

Israel-Premier Tech Giro d'Italia 2024 selection

Michael Woods
Riley Pickrell
Simon, Clarke
Nick Schultz
Nadav Raisberg
Ethan Vernon
Hugo Hofstetter
Marco Frigo