October 29, 2017 – Israel Cycling Academy is delighted to announce that veteran rider and former Canadian road champion Guillaume Boivin has renewed his contract. At only 28-years-old, he packs nearly a decade of experience riding for teams around the world. This unique knowledge and insight allows him to both mentor his younger teammates as well as to follow his well-honed instincts in the peloton in tense race moments.

Sports director Kjell Carlström imagined several different scenarios for Boivin and some of his teammates. “Their roles will be to help out some of the fast men in the team to arrive at the sprint in perfect condition. In races where we haven’t got a sprinter, they can also help out our climber or GC hope. On some occasions, they can also take their chances by going into the break or even sprinting from a reduced peloton.”

Boivin, who already has been with the squad for two years, is eager to improve upon his impressive results with the team. “I’m looking forward to showing the world what I’m capable of on the biggest scene. Whether it is to help a teammate win or get a chance [myself] at some point, I want to fly the ICA flag to the top.”

With a stage win at the recent Tour of Taihu Lake and an overall podium finish, the veteran rider from Quebec finished the 2017 season on a high note. “The last two months of the season as a whole have been very good for me. I’ve gained confidence in myself and hope to carry it into the 2018 season.”

Speaking about his second-place finish in September’s Coppa Bernochi, he said, “It doesn’t get much bigger and faster than this and I was painfully close! This gives me great confidence but more than anything great motivation to make sure next time I’ll be there with the big boys.”

He also recognizes that the fifteen top 10 results he achieved this season were not his alone. “Special thanks to the staff members behind the scene and our team owners who make this dream possible!”

Next season will indeed be a year to dream big for the riders on Israel Cycling Academy with the Giro d’Italia starting in the team’s hometown of Jerusalem. Boivin is sure to do all he can to be on the starting line next May in what would be his third grand tour start. In the meantime, he knows just what to do in the offseason. “Now time to rest up and get ready for a big 2018 season!”

Israel Cycling Academy was founded in December 2014 in Jerusalem as Israel’s first professional cycling team with a clear vision to help Israeli cycling and to bring young cyclists, especially Israelis, to the top levels of the sport. The 2017 season was the team’s first in the Pro Continental ranks.