Former Sky sports director Kjell Carlström will join the Team Cycling Academy staff for 2017 after his time at IAM Cycling.

The Finn will be the Chief Sports Director in the Israeli team after Niki Sørensen will move to Aqua Blue Sport in 2017. 

"I am aware of the huge responsibility but I'm excited to have this opportunity,” he said. “The main reason I was attracted to this position is the objective that the Israeli Cycling Training Academy has set for its future: to help riders and the team to get access to the biggest stage races like the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France for the first time. When that is achieved, it will be part of the sports history because an Israeli team and Israeli riders have never done so before. It is a great motivation for all of us. " 

Carlström will try to use his experience of sporting director to help the team make the jump from continental to pro continental level. Last week it was announced that they have been granted a pro continental license for 2017.