Not yet a pro, but more wins than van der Poel: Australian talent joins Israel-Premier Tech in 2026

Gilmore won the fifth stage to Viseu and repeated the feat a day later. The difficult finish was right up the alley of the 24-year-old Australian, who won with ease. “I felt good on the last climb. I wasn’t really suffering,” he said after the victory on the website of Israel-Premier Tech. “When I launched my sprint with 250 to go, I almost didn’t need to go max, which felt a little strange, to be honest, but I’ll take it.”

Gilmore is part of the Israel-Premier Tech development team this year, after riding for the small ARA | Skip Capital team last year. His new team wanted to win the sixth stage with breakaway rider Daniel Lima, but that plan fell apart, as team leader Ruben Plaza saw. “Our second card to play was Brady, in case it came back for a sprint, and in the end, it worked out perfectly. When I saw him smiling on the climb, I knew he would win this one. Once again, it was another perfect day for us here in Portugal!”

It was another easy victory for the all-rounder, who has already added six professional victories to his palmares this year. It all started in the Tour of Rwanda, where he won both the second and third stages. Just over a month later, he lined up at the start of the Tour of Taiwan, where he won the second stage and also took the overall classification. The two victories in Portugal are a new highlight in his already impressive season.

It is therefore no surprise that Israel - Premier Tech has decided to transfer Gilmore to the pro team in 2026. The Australian signed a three-year contract at the end of July. “Brady has a powerful engine, he has the profile of a strong puncheur, and he gives everything he has every time he is on a start line,” says general manager Kjell Carlström. “He’s exactly the kind of rider who fits into the team well and is equally at ease being a leader and a dedicated teammate. We’re looking forward to seeing Brady grow more over the next three years.”

Gilmore himself is extremely pleased with the new step he has been able to take. “It’s been a long time coming and it feels incredible. I have to ask myself if it’s real” says the speedy man. “With the pathway the team has provided me, along with the opportunity to win races, it was a natural decision to step up as a professional with this team. I feel at home and it will be a familiar, smooth step up next year.”

From 2026, the Australian wants to take steps to later compete with the greats. “My objectives for the next years are to concentrate on becoming the best professional I can be, to take the opportunities I get and, of course, to race a Grand Tour.”