ICA to race on world tour
IN its aim to compete at the highest level in professional cycling, the Israel Cycling Academy (ICA) has taken over the KatushaAlpecin team licence, securing a place as one of the 20 world tour teams for the next three years.
The Academy have been seeking promotion to cycling’s world Premier League in order to secure their entry in the Tour de France, now to be achieved through Katusha-Alpecin’s licence.
ICA co-owner, the Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, said: “I have stated for some time that ICA would be in the World Tour sooner or later. I am excited that it is happening right away for the 2020 season.
“We have several new riders, including some from the current Katusha team that will join, and I promise we will make some noise in lots of big races next year. We’re just getting started.”
Entering the Continental ranks in 2014, the ICA team progressed in 2017 to the higher level of Pro-Continental teams, opening-up a larger range of international events around the world, including a spot in the Giro d’Italia with its start in Israel. An increased team size of 30
Sylvan Adams riders from 18 different nationalities will include some outstanding riders, such as a former world hour record-holder, as well as several national champions from their home countries.
The Israel Cycling Academy will now take control of the Katusha team, subject to approval by the UCI, and will begin racing at World Tour level from January 2020 under Katusha’s existing World Tour licence, which runs for three years. The team will continue to race in ICA’s blue-andwhite kit, provided by clothing brand Katusha. Israeli businessman Ron Baron, who is coowner and founder of the ICA, said: “I’m sure this step will enhance our core vision to develop Israeli cycling on the world stage. To see an Israeli rider in the Tour de France will be, for me, very satisfying.”
The new squad list will require some cuts to meet the maximum number of 30 riders. Katusha-Alpecin is currently home to British cyclists Alex Dowsett and Harry Tanfield, while ICA’s current line-up includes Conor Dunne and Ben Hermans, who has just signed a contract extension following his recent win in the seven-stage Tour of Utah.
British stars Alex Dowset and Harry Townsend are currently under contract to the Swiss registered Katusha team while the ICA’s line-up under contract for 2020 includes Roy Goldstein, Guy Niv, Omer Goldstein and Guy Sagiv, the first Israeli to finish a Grand Tour at the 2018 Giro d’Italia.
ICA pro manager Kjell Carlstrom said: “The team has been growing each year in an organic way, both as an organisation and also on the rider side, and we feel ready for this new challenge.” He said “We have great chemistry on this team and I am proud of what we accomplished together.”
Adams said: “I want to thank Katusha management and its owner Igor Makarov for choosing to do this deal with us, as I know he had several options available. His contribution to the sport has been impressive and he will continue to support it.”