Israeli pro squad Team Cycling Academy to kick off 2016 with support from Cannondale

Israeli pro cycling squad Team Cycling Academy, it was announced this week, has new backing from one of the most prestigious names in global cycling going into its sophomore season.

Cannondale will be the team’s official bike sponsor in 2016.

The Israeli team had a resoundingly successful 2015 season, its first on the international pro scene. Now, with 14 wins under its collective helmet, Team Cycling Academy has some towering ambitions going into this year of competition. Its first race will be in Italy this February, at the GP Costa degli Etruschi. After that, a series of one-day races spanning Europe, Asia and North America will follow.

The squad’s principals, of course, are enthusiastic about this ambitious season’s high-profile support from Cannondale. “It’s a great honour,” said maager Ran Margaliot, “and fills us with tremendous pride to be a part of the Cannondale family. We will make Cannondale proud and build on our first successful year with Cannondale’s elite road and time-trial bikes.”

Contributing to the success of Cannondale’s and Team Cycling Academy’s partnership, team owner Ron Baron added, will be the shared values of the two organizations when it comes to cycling. With Team Cycling Academy having been founded as a place for Israeli cyclists to develop their skills and grow professionally, Cannondale’s own focus on developing new talent, Baron suggests, suit’s the squad’s own principles.

“We are a green team in many respects,” he said, “and believe that this partnership will be a perfect fit.”

On the other side of the saddle, the team’s riders, it goes without saying, are looking forward with particular interest to what the new partnership will bring—especially in terms of gear. Road riders will be rolling out atop Cannondale’s SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD bikes, redesigned for 2016, while time-trial competitors will be riding the Cannondale Slice RS in both individual and team events. For Canada’s Guillaume Boivin—new to Team Cycling Academy this season—the EVO is a familiar steed from his time riding with Cannondale Pro Cycling, the bike having brought his competitive history to a few very notable high points.

“I have great memories from my years racing with Cannondale Pro Cycling,” Boivin said, “and I’m looking forward to Team Cycling Academy having a lot of success on these incredible machines. Not only is the EVO the best bike I have ridden yet in my career, it’s a classic looking bike, which I love.”