Lewis Askey signs with Israel-Premier Tech on three-year deal

Lewis Askey will leave Groupama FDJ at the end of the season to join Israel-Premier Tech, signing a contract that runs through to 2029. The 24-year-old Brit has spent the last six years with the French team, progressing from the development ranks to the WorldTour, but felt the time was right to take on a new challenge.

This year has marked an important breakthrough in Askey’s career. In May, he claimed his first professional win at Boucles de l’Aulne – Châteaulin, following it up just a week later with victory on stage 2 of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. Those results confirmed the promise he has shown since turning pro in 2022 and underlined his potential as both a Classics contender and a rider capable of shaping stage races.

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Israel-Premier Tech General Manager Kjell Carlström explained that Askey has been on the team’s radar for some time. “Lewis Askey is a rider we have had our eye on for a while,” he said. “Having been promoted to the WorldTour at a young age, Lewis already has a wealth of experience and he’s still only 24 years old. His victories this year were confirmation of what we knew he was capable of, and we believe the best is yet to come.” Carlström added that Askey would play a key leadership role in one-day races while also strengthening IPT’s stage race squads.

For Askey, the decision to leave Groupama FDJ was not taken lightly, but the prospect of a fresh environment appealed. “Groupama FDJ did a lot for me and I’m thankful for my time with them, but it felt like the right time to move on,” he said. “I need some new motivation, new faces, new style, fresh air, and new ways of thinking. I’m at a point in my career where I should be coming into my best years, and I feel like moving somewhere else will give me the extra gear, the motivation to step up and try new things.”

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Askey highlighted both the professional approach and the familiar faces at Israel-Premier Tech as decisive factors in choosing the team. “From the beginning of our conversations, everything felt very professional – from the research, training, nutrition, altitude planning, and analysis. Secondly, I already know so many people at the team – not just UK riders but others too, close mates I spend a lot of time with. And I’ve learned it makes a huge difference when you’re racing with people you genuinely want to race for.”

Team owner Sylvan Adams welcomed the signing, saying: “I’m very pleased that Lewis Askey will be joining IPT next year. He is a young, promising, versatile rider, who will fit in perfectly with our team culture, and moreover, our racing style. From what we’ve seen from his results this year, Lewis is a winner. Welcome to IPT, Lewis. The future looks bright.”