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Between 2024 and 2025 you’d be hard-pressed to find any changes with the equipment used over at Israel-Premier Tech. Since 2020 the team has been rolling aboard Factor bikes, Black Inc. wheels and Shimano groupsets. That trend looks set to continue for 2025 with the teams set up mirroring that of 2024.
At both Australian National Championships and the Tour Down Under last year, Factor and the IPT team caused a stir by displaying the new Ostro VAM a few weeks before its official launch. In that year’s edition of the TDU, Stephen “Stevie” Williams claimed a stage win and the overall GC. All of this exposure meant that by the time the bike officially launched, the new Ostro VAM had become the worst-kept secret in cycling.
Since then the Ostro VAM has been the team’s go-to bike for most scenarios, with the exception of Paris-Roubaix where the team used the Ostro Gravel, and the O2 VAM on particularly mountainous terrain. Williams also rode the new Ostro to the win at Fleche Wallonne.
Williams is back in Adelaide for the 2025 Tour Down Under, looking to defend his title with arguably one of the strongest teams in the race. Backing him up there are the likes of George Bennett and Michael Woods bringing some firepower to the ProTeam for Willunga Hill.
Blending low weight and aero-optimised design, the Ostro VAM is part of the latest breed of do-it-all race bikes that represent a versatile one-bike strategy for many of the team’s riders.
The Ostro VAM sits alongside the O2 VAM climbing bike for Israel-Premier Tech. Given that the Ostro can hit the UCI’s 6.8 kg weight limit, it is the predominant bike of choice for the team.The front end of the bike makes use of the UCI’s relaxation on aero profiles with a deep head tube that also has a distinct hourglass profile to reduce frontal area as much as possible.From the front view, the shape of the head tube is even more obvious, with it neatly transitioning to the fork crown.Black Inc. Is Factor’s in-house component manufacturing division. It supplies the team with its integrated cockpit, bar tape and wheels. The bars that Williams’ has gone for is the Integrated Aero Barstem. Also note the generous amount of tape for comfortable holding in the centre.Williams doesn’t run his stem completely slammed, instead, it is raised by around 15 mm above the headset top cap. Given that he is a climbing specialist, being in a position that better facilitates power delivery likely has a bigger gain than going for a full aero position.Although Israel-Premier Tech runs Shimano’s Dura-Ace groupset, as a non-sponsored team they have decided to use FSA’s K-Force cranks with a Power2Max Power Box spider-based power meter.Nestled in just behind the small chainring is a larger plastic 3D-printed chain catcher to prevent any untimely chain drops when shifting to the small ring.The team is paying close attention to all the small details, with the T47 bottom bracket clearly labelled up as a Ceramicspeed unit. The vibrant blue anodising is nicely coordinated with the team’s blue livery.The rear derailleur Di2 cable runs neatly from the exit port down to the derailleur, keeping it tucked out of the way. Williams has also opted for the 11-34 cassette ahead of the Tour Down Under.It is not all about short cranks it would seem. Williams (1.83 meters/6 feet tall) is sticking to 172.5 mm arms.Continental provide the team with its rubber for 2025 with the GP5000 S TR (28 mm) the go-to choice. Williams has these tyres mounted to Black Inc’s. 48|58 wheelset.The Ostro VAM sports asymmetric fork legs to allow for the brake caliper to mount in the correct position. The drive side fork leg is a standard straight profile all the way down, while the non-drive side leg tapers in towards the bottom.Wherever you look on the Ostro VAM you can’t escapre the holographic Factor branding.Williams is using a Selle Italia SLR Boost Pro Team Kit Carbonio Superflow saddle. In a 130 mm width this saddle is the choice of many Selle Italia-supported riders.No chance in forgetting who this bike belongs to with a perfectly placed name sticker at the top of the seat tube. And no Union Jack here; instead, note the Welsh flag with the red dragon on white and green.Sitting just above the dazzling Factor logo is Elite’s Superleggero carbon bottle cage. The brand has released an even lighter cage called the T-Race, but as it only saves two grams over the Superleggero Williams is sticking with what he knows.Sitting on the chainstay is Factor’s slogan of ‘Never. Status. Quo.’ At 183 cm (6’0”) Williams is riding a 54 cm frame, which is smaller than you might expect from someone of this height.The fork already has a protective sleeve over it ready to accept the race transponder.
Stevie Williams Factor Ostro Vam Specs
Frame: Factor Ostro VAM 54 cm
Wheels: Black Inc. 48|58
Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200
Chainset: FSA K Force Road Team Edition Powerbox with Power2Max power meter, 172.5 mm, 54/40T
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace/XTR M9100
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-R9200 11-34T
Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9270
Tyres: Continental GP5000 S TR, 28 mm
Handlebars: Black Inc. Integrated Aero Barstem (120 mm stem, 38 cm bar)
Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Boost Pro Team Kit Carbonio Superflow
