Israeli cycling academy makes local history

Calling it “a historic moment for Israeli sports and a great honour,” Israel’s first ever professional team, Israel Cycling Academy, has proudly accepted an invitation to participate in the Giro d’Italia, one of the world’s most significant sporting events, scheduled to begin in Jerusalem on May 4th.

 

“Israel Cycling Academy earned this selection with our excellent team, including seasoned riders who have secured victories in two of the three Grand Tours,” stated the team’s co-owner Sylvan Adams, who is also the Honorary President of the Giro’s “Big Start” in Israel. “We now expect to add a stage win in this year’s Giro and to place a team leader high on the GC [General Classification of overall leaders]. These are our goals in this year’s Giro and we wish to thank the race organizer RCS for this opportunity.”

The 101st edition of the Giro d’Italia opens with three stages traversing Israel, marking the first time a Grand Tour has ever left Europe. The prestigious event will see 176 of the world’s top cyclists begin the competition against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s Old City. Over the following two days, the athletes will ride from the north of Israel southward to the tip of the Red Sea.

Israel Cycling Academy 2018 features 24 Israeli and international cyclists and 4 national champions. Included are two Australian cyclists – Zak Dempster and Nathan Earle as well as Kiwi Hamish Schreurs.