Jake Stewart has signed a new three-year contract extension with Israel-Premier Tech, keeping him at the team until the end of 2028. It comes off the back of his best run of results to date, with stage wins at the Critérium du Dauphiné and 4 Jours de Dunkerque marking a new phase in his career.
Still just 25, the Coventry-born rider joined IPT at the start of 2024 after several frustrating seasons affected by injury and inconsistency. Now, with two wins in the space of a month and his first WorldTour victory on the board, he’s become a core part of the team’s sprint set-up – both as a dependable lead-out man and a finisher when the opportunity presents itself.
Israel – Premier Tech General Manager Kjell Carlström said Stewart was always seen as more than just a support rider when he joined last year. While he was initially brought in to assist the team’s sprinters, his potential to become a leader, both on and off the road, was clear from the start. He explained that Stewart had immediately become a key figure within the squad, valued by teammates and staff alike, and that the decision to extend his contract was made earlier in the season. With two wins since then, Carlström called the results a deserved reward for Stewart’s “determination and hard work”, adding that the team was excited to continue developing him over the coming years.
For Stewart, the extension reflects how much he’s found his place at IPT after a difficult spell elsewhere. He said it was an easy decision to commit long-term and had been thinking about renewing with the team since the end of 2023. Being part of a successful environment – one where he felt supported and valued – had helped him rediscover his motivation both in training and in racing. He pointed to the team’s performances last year at races like the Tour of Britain, Flèche Wallonne and Tour of Guangxi as moments that reignited his enthusiasm for the sport.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyHe admitted that, in the past, he’d not always been able to make the most of the opportunities he was given, but credited the culture and stability at IPT for unlocking the consistency and confidence he’d been lacking. His recent results, he said, were a clear sign that when he’s relaxed, happy, and well-supported, the success follows naturally.
Despite his individual wins, Stewart remains fully committed to his role in IPT’s sprint train. He said the long-term aim is still to become one of the world’s best lead-out riders, and that he’s genuinely motivated by helping others win. At the same time, he knows he’ll continue to get his own chances and is determined to make the most of them when they come. Looking ahead, he’s enthusiastic about building something sustainable with IPT over the next few seasons and excited about what the future holds.
His value to the team was underlined at the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he had initially been tasked with leading out Pascal Ackermann. When the German sprinter crashed out, Stewart stepped up and took the win himself in commanding fashion – a result that reinforced just how much he brings to the squad.
IPT owner Sylvan Adams said Stewart had quickly become one of the team’s leaders and perfectly reflected the team’s values. He described the Dauphiné win as a “masterclass” performance and said Stewart’s response to the pressure of losing their designated sprinter showed he was both fearless and capable of stepping into the spotlight when needed. Adams said he was thrilled Stewart would remain with the team for the next three years and beyond.
For Stewart, the win in France felt like a turning point – not just in terms of results, but in mindset. With a clear sense of purpose and a team that backs him fully, he now feels like he’s on the right path. The next challenge is sustaining that momentum and continuing to grow, both as a lead-out and as a winner in his own right.
Main photo credit: Sprint Cycling Agency
