The newly formed ‘Cycling Academy Team’ placed 17th at the Tour de San Lois race.

A tough and sometimes brutal terrain greeted six of the newly formed team’ in Argentina.

Israel’s first UCI Registered professional men’s team of two Israelis, two Polish and one each Czech and Slovak lined up at the start of the UCI Category 2:1 seven stage race. Included on the start list were some formidable competitors – World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski, Britain’s Mark Cavendish, Pozatto of Italy, Frenchman Voeckler and Quintana of Columbia.

A total of 161 riders from 30 countries assembled in the Villa Mercedes for the start of the Tour de San Lois event. 948.2 Km. were to be covered with three mountain top finishes, a short Time Trial and two flat stages to suit the sprinters. Day one was the longest at 186.8 Km, finishing in San Lois, with the first of the climbs next day after 185.3 Km.

Shortest stage was the individual time trial on Day 5, at 17.4 Km. In which Daniel Turek and Yoav Bear finished in the same time in 23 min. 08secs. just 3.01 behind the winner.

Final overall placings after seven days were: 39. Emanuel Piaskowy at 0:19:50, behind the winner’s 22hr.37:07; 53. Lubos Malovec at 0:24:43; 62. Daniel Turek at 0:27:03 (2min 33s. Ahead of the World Champion)my; 91. Wojciech Migdal at 0:39:18; 100. Yoav Bear at 0:42:23 and 106. Ido Zilberstein at 0:43:56.

Overall team placing was 17th at 68 hrs:59:57 ahead of last place Cuba.

In the U23 Young Rider category, Malovec placed 7th at 0:21:27 behind the winner Contreras (Colombian National Team) 22:40:23.

Just 144 riders completed the race.

Report by Stan Rose