Stephen Williams has signed a four-year contract extension to keep him at Israel-Premier Tech until 2028.

Welshman Williams, 28, joined the team in 2022 and is in their squad at the Tour de France.

In April, the former Bahrain-Victorious rider became the first British male to win the Fleche Wallonne spring classic in Belgium.

“I feel like I have found my place on a team where I can get the best out of myself on the bike,” said Williams.

“As we have seen with the way I have been racing, especially from last year’s Giro d’Italia onwards, I’ve taken a real step up.

“It has been rewarded with some nice results and even though I am fairly new on the team, it feels like I have been here for 10 years not one year.”

Williams signed his first professional deal with Bahrain-Merida in 2019 but suffered an 18-month setback in his career following a knee injury.

The Aberystwyth-born rider went on to win a stage and take overall victory at 2021’s Cro Race, but was left without a contract when the team he planned to join for 2023 failed to get off the ground.

Since joining Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) he has also won the 2023 Arctic Race of Norway and the 2024 Tour Down Under.

He will make his Olympic debut for Team GB next month in Paris.

“I’m 28 years old now and the next four years are probably in that window when I become my best and keep improving,” added Williams.

“So to have this offer from the team gave me huge confidence and I didn’t hesitate to extend with IPT. I am so happy in the team, and I see the way I have stepped up in just one year here, so I can’t wait for the next four.”