Shani Bloch-Davidov pedalled into sporting history to become the first Israeli cyclist to compete in the Olympic Games.

Heading for Rio and the 130Km Women’s Road Race on August 7, Bloch-Davidov has achieved a dream that became a reality following her re-entry into the racing scene.

The popular and experienced cyclist first came to prominence when she placed high in the under-23 category of the 2000 Giro D’Italia Femminle stage race in Italy.

Based in Lucca, Italy for a year, she joined professional teams racing there and in the USA, Canada, the San Remo World Cup and in the World Championships in France and Belgium. Her best placings in those early days included third.

A four-time Road Champion of Israel, Bloch-Davidov rejected a tempting professional contract in Italy, retired in 2004 and
returned to her studies at Wingate. Resuming competition in 2014, she married to Shai and has three young daughters.

The family have moved to Scotland where Shani placed second in the Road Race Championship of Scotland recently.

Seeking more Olympic qualifying points, she competed overseas in a number of events including 14th overall in the three-stage Tour of Thailand and third. This was followed by another fine performance in Finland which confirmed her place in the Israel squad for Rio.

Now, at 37 years, she expressed her thanks to friends and family for their help and encouragement, especially husband Shai. To her sponsors and the Cycling Federation of Israel, the coaches and staff and particularly the rest of the Women’s National Team, she said; "After Rio we must look ahead to Tokyo 2020."

Bloch-Davidov was named Team Leader for Israel’s National Women’s Team, which formed in 2004. They competed in internationals in Italy and Russia and it hosted three international UCI races in Israel (the first-ever UCI road races held in Israel, male or female).