First Israeli rider to start and finish a Grand Tour puts an end to his professional career: "I can look back on a great journey"

Friday, 08 November 2024 at 06:00

Guy Sagiv will no longer be part of the professional peloton next year. The rider is ending his career at the age of 29. Sagiv was the first rider from Israel to successfully complete a Grand Tour (Giro d'Italia 2018) and paved the way for other Israeli cyclists.

Since his debut with the team in 2015, Sagiv rode an impressive amount of 467 races and 274,000 race kilometers. "I'm just not that interested in the pure numbers," a nice stat line, Sagiv agrees, but that's not the most important aspect of his professional career, the 29-year-old reckons.

It was that Giro in 2018. With a Grande Partenza back home in Israel, Sagiv wrote history of his country's cycling as the first Israeli to start (and finish) a Grand Tour: "What I will remember most of all is that I managed to break through the ceiling. Not just for myself, but for all Israelis with cycling dreams. I showed that a dream can come true. So I'm very proud of what I've achieved. Not just that unforgettable Giro, but that I was also able to participate in other prestigious cycling races."

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"I actually wanted to continue for at least one more season, but that turned out not to be possible. So I do have some unfinished business. I'm still young, but I can also look back on a great journey."

Sagiv will remain involved with the team, as he will be part of the technical staff of Israel - Premier Tech from next season. "His departure affects me. Guy is a top professional. He is fully committed to the team and his teammates. He also acted as a mentor for the young Israeli riders," says team boss Sylvan Adams in praise of Sagiv. "He will also remain a mentor, but in his new role within our technical staff."

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Thank you, Guy Sagiv 💙 The first Israeli to finish a Grand Tour and the only pro to be a part of IPT since its formation in 2015 concludes his journey with us as a rider. 🗣️ "I proved that the dream is entirely achievable. I am very proud of what I accomplished." #YallaIPT

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First Israeli rider to start and finish a Grand Tour puts an end to his professional career: "I can look back on a great journey"

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