Guy Sagiv, the first Israeli pro cyclist to successfully complete a Grand Tour — the historic Giro d’Italia in 2018, which started from Jerusalem — has paved the way for the Israeli riders who followed. Now, after 10 years, Sagiv is concluding his journey as a rider with Israel – Premier Tech, which has offered him a position on its professional staff.
The 29-year-old, the only rider who has competed with the team since its first season in 2015, leaves behind an impressive legacy and record. He represented the team in 467 races, contributing to many victories. In total, he has ridden over 274,000 kilometers in training and racing—a distance close to circling the globe seven times on a bike.
Sagiv says: “The truth is, raw numbers have never impressed me. What I’ll remember most is breaking the glass ceiling, not just for myself but for Israelis who followed and the young riders knocking at the door of pro cycling. I proved to them that the dream is entirely achievable. In that sense, I am very proud of what I accomplished — not just the unforgettable Giro but the years of a professional career and participation in the world’s most prestigious races.”
Sagiv leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and is universally appreciated by teammates, staff, and team leaders.
Sylvan Adams, owner of Israel – Premier Tech, says: “It touches me to realize the end of Guy’s journey as a professional rider on our team. Guy is the consummate professional, burying himself for the team and for his teammates, in whatever aspect of racing we asked of him. Guy also acted as a mentor to the younger Israelis, an activity that will continue as he transitions to a new role as a member of our staff.
“Guy leaves us as the rider with the longest tenure on IPT, as the only current rider who was there at the formation of the team, 10 years ago. He was decorated several times as Israeli national road champion and also holds the distinction of being the first Israeli to complete a Grand Tour, the memorable 2018 Giro that started in Israel. Being the first is a record that can never be broken, and that Guy will forever carry.
“Thank you, Guy, for 10 great years. Every athlete’s career must end at some point, but we will continue this journey together as you transition to your new role as a member of our staff.”
Ron Baron, the team’s founder and the one who first gave Sagiv his chance when few recognized his potential, adds: “He did far more than represent us on the racecourse: Guy was our No. 1 Israeli ambassador—a billboard for Israel on a bike. I’ll never forget the moment he finished the Giro in Rome, head held high, overcoming every obstacle and pain along the way.”
Indeed, no one foresaw in the spring of 2015 that Guy Sagiv was on the brink of such a remarkable career. The young rider initially tried out for the newly founded team—then called Cycling Academy — but was overlooked in favor of four other young Israelis. Sagiv quietly waited for his moment to prove that choice was a mistake. His chance came at the Israeli Championships, where he stunned the Academy riders by taking victory. Days later, he signed a professional contract and was sent almost immediately to represent the team at the prestigious USA Pro Challenge in Colorado as the newly crowned Israeli Champion. However, the young Israeli quickly realized just how tough the competition was; he didn’t finish the first stage.
Sagiv adds: “That was a low point. I wasn’t ready, especially physically. I was a rookie, also nursing an injury, and it hit me hard. But even in that tough moment, I believed in myself, so if you’d asked me back then if I could sustain a 10-year career with Grand Tours and hundreds of races, it wouldn’t have sounded absurd. I believed in myself: I dreamed about it, I wanted it, and I achieved it.”
But the crowning moment is undisputed: Jerusalem, Friday afternoon, May 4, 2018. Sagiv stood at the start line of the Giro d’Italia’s opening time trial. “The Israeli crowd surrounded me,” he recalls. “Thousands were there, screaming their support wildly, and I was covered in goosebumps. To this day, I can close my eyes and return to that moment when the ground literally shook!”
He endured three grueling weeks on the tour, but his resilience saw him through. Mental strength was always his hallmark, perhaps more impressive than physical stamina. “I suffered intensely, but even in the hardest moments, I was confident I’d make it,” he says.
Looking back, he feels that early successes like the Giro might have shaped his career in ways that left room for a bit of regret.
Sagiv says: “I’m very proud of my journey, of course. But if I have one regret, it’s that I didn’t achieve more individual wins beyond my Israeli championships. The frustration stems from my belief that I had the potential to win consistently, but it wasn’t fully realized. Why? Perhaps I was thrown into the deep end too fast. The Giro success convinced the team that my role should be as a domestique —a worker for the stars. On one hand, it worked, but on the other, I missed the chance to become a fast classics rider. I had that in me. But I have no complaints; on the contrary, the team gave me everything, and I gave it my all.”
In his characteristic honesty, he admits he would have liked to continue riding professionally. Sagiv says: “I wanted to go on for at least one more season. In the end, it wasn’t possible with the team, and it left me with a bit of unfinished business. I’m still young. But I’ve had an amazing journey. The team offered me a professional role, and I’m open to it. I believe I can work with young riders to help them adapt to the pro world. I have faith in our young Israelis.”
And they believe in him. Nadav Raisberg, who had a strong first professional season, says Sagiv showed him the way. “As a young rider, I remember looking up to him as a great Israeli cyclist,” says Raisberg. “When I joined the team, he was there with advice and generosity. On behalf of the younger generation, we owe him a lot.”
Israeli sports director Dror Pekatch adds: “For me, Guy marks a turning point for the entire sport. Israeli cycling has two eras: before and after Guy Sagiv. He broke through and showed everyone it was possible. After him, and because of him, others followed. In his conduct, Guy was an example and a model. I’ll miss him on the road.”
IPT General Manager Kjell Carlström, who worked with Sagiv for many years, says: “Guy Sagiv has been a great team member throughout his career. He tirelessly worked hard for other riders. Guy achieved some important milestones for Israel as he was the first Israeli to compete and finish a Grand Tour.
“Personally, I can’t forget that lovely scene when Guy passed (and kissed) his then Fiancée [Omer Shapira] just before the finish line in the Israeli Nationals. They both were crowned champions. As such an important rider in the history of the team and Israel’s cycling, I hope we’ll now enjoy his contributions as part of our professional staff.”
Canadian rider Guillaume Boivin, who became one of Sagiv’s closest friends on the team, adds: “Guy Sagiv became a trailblazer for cycling in Israel entering the pro world and a key part of the team over the last decade, on and off the bike. I’ve had the privilege of riding alongside him for the past nine seasons, watching him grow from a young adult to a man with a beautiful family. [Sagiv and Omer have a daughter together].
“Guy was always the mentor for our younger riders and an example of a true team player. His career is one that few have achieved – I can’t wait to see what his next chapter holds.”
Guy Sagiv’s career in numbers
> Races: 467
> Racing kilometers: 65,267km
> Racing hours: 1,727 hours
> Individual wins: 5 (Israeli National Road Championships: 2015, 2016, 2019; Israeli Time Trial Championships: 2017, 2020)
> Podium finishes: 6
> Top 10 finishes: 4
> Training kilometers: 208,568km
> Total elevation gain in training and races: 3,116,057 meters
> Calories burned in training and races: 5,939,736
